I absolutely love love love my natural hair. It can be dry and when I wash it I have to immediately detangle and I love every bit of it. I will never ever go back to being relaxed, it’s just not the same. I looove wash days because I get to use my products and see my hair flourish at the end. I will never look at relaxers the same.
Hello Kadijah. I love my natural hair as well, I will never go back to a relaxer. Wash days are long for me , but I actually find installing my mini twists to be very therapeutic.
Cause the media is saying it's linked 2 cancer ??? But who believes the media NOW !!! I'm learning 2 love my natural 4c hair I know how 2 take care of my hair now 🥰🥰 it's growing like weeds I'm loving it and really knowledgeable now 💯🥰
I also mainly wear my hair in mini twist it’s been life changing for my natural hair experience and hair growth (I’ve been natural 10 years) and it is actually very calming i pre part my front then just part across and pick up pieces in the back and watch my shows.
I will not put crack cream in my head. These products cause balding fibroid infertility. People don't realise the product goes into your blood stream. Nope nope nope
Natural hair will never be done. However we failed us. We did not uplift coily textures enough and still considering it unkempt if it isn't manipulated to the max, hair influencers lying about products and putting out false information, the obsession with the perfect curl, way too long routines killed (wash day became scary), let's keep it real we all know the mainstream looks that are deemed attractive, gimmicky products from brands and black owned brand not paying black women or let alone have them on their ads. The thing is after a year or 2 everyone will remember why we transitioned in the first place and remember that the grass isn't greener on the other side. Relaxed hair is as demanding if not more in upkeep but people tend to forget because it being straight and desired
Hello Rosette. Not at all. Natural hair will never go away. You are correct; within the natural hair movement and community certain hair textures are uplifted more than others. As someone who does natural hair content, I always want to make sure my information is correct and that I am not giving false testimony, especially for products when I know it won’t give the desired result, can be damaging, or is misleading. I know some women who have gone back to relaxed and are now seeking to come back to the natural side lol. “ We welcome you with open arms !”
@@sheeshneesh yes, black men had their revolution decades ago when they put away the straightener and never looked back. but they didn't respect our revolution.
I loooovvveee being relaxed. My hair is extremely thick and healthy. I’d don’t have to worry about getting in the water, vacations, going to the gym everyday, sweating out my hair while dancing, hours of hair prep, etc. The amount of time it gives your life back is liberating. My hair thrives relaxed though, I just make sure I have a good hair regimen and I spend waaaay less money than I did natural. If someone has hair that thrives better natural then go for it luv 😊.
💯 day to day relaxed hair is less work. I'm also very lazy and being g natural was too much work for me to keep a decent looking style. I went back to relaxer earlier this year after being natural since 2015.
I’ve tried both ways twice 😂 and I’ve come to the conclusion that my hair grows and retains length better when it’s relaxed. So being relaxed is for ME. 🙂
Even without relaxers impacting my health, I still choose my natural hair. I think natural hair compliments our facial features the best. And I don’t think our natural hair requires more work compared to flat hair. If you look closely, many women with flat hair have dull hair with split ends galore because they also fell for the idea that their hair doesn’t need a lot of work. Taking care of ones hair properly will always take time, effort, and work.
Shayla I totally agree. You have to put work in everything you do such as a marriage, your job, your daily activities and even working out to look good. Why can't we put the work in our hair? This is where we get LAZY... but we want the easy way out and put a relaxer in when eventually that will break your hair, then the edges start thinning. This doesn't happen with your natural hair. Natural hair is beautiful. There are women with hair down to their butts and it's natural. It just takes time, patience and less manipulation and most of all "the work".
I relaxed my hair and cut it into a short Bob. It’s was beautiful. I just cut it all off bald to get back to my natural. It’s way harder managing a relaxer than my natural hair. ❤
@@levernejones4944 it certainly not less maintenance. I don’t why people say it is. I lost the ability to get up and go. I have to use rubber bands to braid back if I wan to wear a wig… etc
@@fuzzyspirals It was actually more work for me when my hair was natural and I was natural for years. Everyone’s experience is so different based on lifestyle, texture, time, skill, etc.
I’ve been noticing this return to the relaxer as well, and I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the pandemic, and the boredom that ensued as a result of that. It’s easy to experiment working from home and easier to hide a failed hairstyle. I think there were always going to be some individuals who returned to what is easiest for them or what is more familiar to them. I don’t fault anyone for their decisions either. I just ask they they really think about what issues may arise as a result of relaxing your hair for years or decades. I just cannot imagine the process of getting a relaxer.. no matter how tangled my hair may get..it just doesn’t register for me as an option. There’s also a class action lawsuit about relaxer chemicals/cancers.. I think it’s odd to gloss over that and continue to get them without much of a thought. You’re now talking about your health. Great video topic!
Hey Curly Chronicles, and as you have elegantly stated these are reasons I will never get a relaxer, as you know it was not my mother who gave me relaxer in the first place. As I say in all my hair videos , I take no issue with women who relax their hair, I just know for me and my household it is not an option.
The pandemic is a way for excuses, just like the rain would be. No matter what day it is or what season take care of your hair unless you are sick then I can understand!
Lets hope there isnt another lockdown or shortages because the creamy crack will be hard to get hold of. i was so glad i was natural during the pandemic
I've been natural for 9 years now. I transitioned when I was about 16 years old. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, all I knew that relaxers were destroying my hair. It's been a crazy journey with a lot of ups downs. For many years I was using the wrong products and techniques that were not tailored to my hair which left my hair stagnant for years. Within the last 7 months or so I completely changed my regiment and started listening to my hair needs. I'm seeing a huge difference in how my hair looks and feel and for the first time since I started my journey I'm retaining my length. I never regretted going natural. It's something that is a part of me-- it's my God given hair and I've learned to love it like everything in life.
Hello Ruth. Thank you for sharing your story and I am so happy that you found what works for you. You bring up a very valid point, you had to figure out your hair. You had to figure out techniques that work for you. You had to figure out what products work for your hair. You had to listen to your hair and then readjust. All of this takes time and some people don't want to go through the learning process and that is fine as well. As I said in the video some women have been relaxed so long or they have been relaxed since they were little , so they would have no idea how to care for their natural hair.
It's okay Ruth. I know at least 50% of women experienced the same thing you have in their relaxer days. I know, I have for sure. If I know what I know now about my hair it would be down my butt as of today. But that's not the case. I am natural, been for 3 years and love, love, love it. I will not get another relaxer ( will not judge the women who do). I am thinking about getting color though. Never relaxers again.
I cut my hair when I was 15 while trying to figure myself out and my ancestry… (teenage fantasy😂) but I do not regret it one bit despite all the criticism. I’m three years into it and I feel best when my hair is done and ready to go. I mastered the twist outs🙃 thank God. I think it’s the best thing I have done to find myself and gain confidence as a girl approaching womanhood.
@@octaviawalker823 I would recommend colors without PPD PTD and Resorcinol there are studies linked to cancer with those ingredients just like relaxers More studies are coming out. It’s funny watching people in social media being afraid of silicones sulfates and parabens they are nothing compared to what I just mentioned above. Madison Reed is a good one Alafparf Milano Natural line There are others mainly European brands. Companies are getting on board with upgrading their formulas. Not fast enough though.
I’m trying to transition back to my natural texture. Be careful with relaxers ladies😢 the only reason I started getting relaxers again was for easier maintenance, but then I realized, if I cut down my time on social media I will have more time to do my natural hair
I realized that to after deleting my social media. Suddenly I have time for myself, which should never be considered a bad thing ❤❤ the ultimate self care
Went natural about 8yrs ago. There are definitely pros and cons. The main pro for me is that my hair grew out healthier. However, I have to admit that for me the styling options are just too few for my liking (most make me feel and look like an over grown child), the time I have to put into maintaining my hair, and the frizz, omg the FRIZZ, shrinkage, and single strand knots! I texlax now to preserve at least some texture and that’s worked out awesome for me. Hoping everyone finds what works for them and not stress too much about it.
Thank you for doing these videos on natural hair. I think it’s important for young African American girls to see someone loving the hair that naturally grows out of there head. Their are a lot of health concerns related to relaxers. I’m sorry to see people going back to them instead of just being a straight natural.
Hello Leticia ! I agree with you 100%. The health concerns are one of the reasons I will never get a relaxer again. As you heard me say in the video my mother raised me to live in my natural beauty and to know that I am beautiful, skin complexion and hair. I think when we don’t uplift and encourage our young women we do them a disservice.
Great commentary. In my opinion, a lot of women used their time as a natural to save money. If you weren't good at maintaining or styling your hair relaxed then you would most likely not do well with caring for natural hair. I find it ironic how we are ok with spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars to achieve a European look but refuse to pay a natural hair specialist. If you cannot do your own natural hair then pay a professional. I grew up doing my own hair as a teen so the transition in terms of styling was easy for me. My emotional transition from relaxed to natural impacted me in ways I didn't expect. 1) Family and friends weren't encouraging or supportive. 2) I no longer felt sexy or attractive. 3) I lost a man because I decided to wear my natural. 4) I looked different and had to see my beauty in a different way. 5) The best change was that I started attracting a better quality of men. I'm 12 years natural I am venturing into being a straight natural. I also go to a braider for small box braids with only my natural hair. Natural hair is not for wimps. Perhaps other natural styles like sister locs or larger locs should be considered before returning to chemicals.
Hello PudyNapps. Thank you so much for sharing 1. I have not lost friends since going natural, some didn't even know that I was relaxed lol. Now I did have family members give me the side eye, my father included but he is okay now lol. I think for him he just didn't want me to look crazy . 2. I had my awkward phase as well. I did not big chop, I transitioned overtime and then cut my hair to my shoulders which was the shortest that it had ever been, so for me I still felt beautiful I just had to figure out what to do with it lol 3. The man, his loss, from your avatar you are beautiful 4.yes absolutely , I will say people do say I look different when my hair is straight, I don't think so, I am pretty sure that is because I see myself everyday 5. lol This I can attest to, my hubby is top notch ! Lastly I agree with your first statement , if you didn't really know how to care for your hair when it was relaxed/straight then you will be lost when its natural, that may actually send someone into shock lol. Thank you so much for watching
I always enjoy your videos! I think another reason why some naturals are going back to the relaxer is because they are tired of their hair being unpredictable! I can give a few examples. Twist outs becoming frizz-outs, roller sets on wet hair not working out, or straightening natural hair only to result in fluffy hair 3 hours later. Putting in so much time to style your hair and for it not to work out, can be very discouraging. Unpredictable results are the worst! Your hair is absolutely beautiful!!!
Hey Naptural. Thank you OMG you have made an excellent point, I didn't even think about that. BOY can I attest to that , lmbo, the hairstyles that have gone wrong.. for me I would just throw it up in bun. But I can understand the frustration especially if your hair hair is unpredictable every you do it, it may leave one as you said discouraged.
Hello. This is exactly how I feel about my natural hair. I love the curls but sometimes it doesn't come out the way it should. Very unpredictable. And quality natural hair products are expensive.
@@bernice4477 hello, sis. You can make use of Black Friday sales to buy products that will work for your hair and weather. I live in a highly hot and humid weather in an industrial city so, I buy leave-in conditioners and heavy-duty gels so that my hair can last all week. I have two highly energetic children but I wash and style every 7-8 days (30-45 mins including bathing time) and I use products that work for my weather, density, and hair pattern (styling takes between 1½ hours to 3 hours) Shampoo Conditioner Leave-In Gel And that's it (I have mixed textures) (hooded dryer for wash-n-go/ air drying for three strand twists) When you know these things, you'll never have any problems again.
My mother relaxed my hair regularly when I was a child, so I never saw my natural hair until I was 18. Until then, I didn't even know my hair could coil and curl. I made the decision to do the big chop after a conversation with a family friend who was natural. I was about 16-17 at the time and I always raved about how beautiful I thought her tightly coiled hair was. One day I said to her, "I wish my hair curled or coiled like that." She looked at me confused and exclaimed, "You never saw your natural hair!?" Confused I said, "This is my natural hair, isn't it?" She along with another friend explained to me in detail how to revive my hair. For 3-6 months I stopped using heat, and brushes and started doing my own hair. After I started to see some new growth, I cut my midback hair into the tiniest bob...literally at ear's length, washed it & saw a head full of beautiful curls for the first time EVER. I was in awe. I don't just love my hair, I cherish it. Despite chronic illness and other things that can make hair upkeep challenging, I could never return to a relaxer after I went through so much to get here.
First and foremost, BW we need to normalize letting other women live. Let them do whatever it is they want to make them happy. OUR BEAUTY is in our differences. We keep trying to uniform and police other BW, what they do, say, wear, and we are meant to be wild and as free as we want. Becoming Natural is a personal journey and how we choose to traverse is it is solely up to us. I'm natural, I'm also extremely tender headed and my hair tangles extremely easily. It was painful and difficult so I am now on a deadlock journey but I also enjoy wearing wigs. So find your own paths. To each his own ladies.
Hello Iamshe. You are absolutely correct, black women don not need to be policed and they can do what they want. This video was simply discussing why some women are getting relaxers.
I used to put more work into my hair when it was relaxed. Blow drying, flat ironing and then styling it. It would be more work to go back and I could never. I just love the journey of embracing my natural hair too much. Even after several years, my hair still surprises me sometimes with what it can do. I believe Afro hair is magical.
Let your kinky hair grow, take care of it, stop with the perfect wash and go, 4 hour wash days, etc. grow it and wear it kinky, unapologetically! If you get a relaxer, your hair can still grow and be healthy. But this is more than long healthy hair. Our hair is hated by other races, and even amongst the black community. We have to embrace who we uniquely are. And that’s where I draw the line. My black is beautiful
My hair just grows faster lightly relaxed. Haven't done it yet, but thinking about it. I feel like black women are the only ones getting flack for our hair. Let us choose what we want to do with our own hair!😊
Sometimes women relax because it works best for them. Just because a women prefer to relax their hair does not mean they hate their natural hair. Natural hair takes discipline and desire to keep your natural hair/healthy, and lets face it a lot of women don't have the time or care for natural hair and THATS OK. We need to just embrace healthy hair. This relaxed vs natural is very weird. I have been natural for over 10 years and I can understand why one would relax their hair. Less work!
Completely agree, the video was just simply a conversation about why women have stated they are going back to relaxers or they will be relaxing for the first time.
I never understood why people want to cut down time when it comes to hair and nothing else. Remember that your hair should be healthy like the rest of your body , like you said, so why do people put in the work to exercise, eat right, cook, brush their teeth apply sunscreen every 2 hours but then get lazy with their hair or want the easy way out?
So putting harsh chemicals that can permantantley cause damage to your hair and the rest of your body is worth the risk and its not hating your hair? Interesting...
Natural hair over relaxed hair any day. I am just too traumatised to go back to relaxers. I can't even watch videos of people relaxing their hair because it brings back so many horrible memories I experienced as a child. I just can't.
🥰 I went natural before the rise of the online natural hair gurus so I never fell into the rabbit hole of hellish routines, expensive products and ridiculous rules. I learnt to handle my natural hair at my own pace. I'm 4C, wash my hair 2 or 3 times a week and it only takes me 10 -15 minutes. I can never understand people who wash their hair for more than that. I don't use oils or buy products. Just shampoo and water works for me. My hair is longer than it ever has been and healthier too. Even if I neglect it from time to time, all I need is to get it wet and it bounces back. I think hair gurus ruined the natural hair experince for many. In a bid to stand out from other hair gurus, they kept upping their antics on what to and not do for natural hair. For someone as lazy as me, I would have given up had hair gurus been the ones to usher me into my natural hair journey. They needlessly over complicated natural hair. That being said, I will never go back to relaxers. I want to live a healthy life and that means no crazy chemicals on my head. Also, my natural hair is more resilient and easy to take of. Relaxed hair is the complete opposite for me, it's fragile and requires alot of attention as well as products to keep healthy. Its too much work and the rewards outweigh the negatives. In fact, the rewards don't even match the rewards my natural gives me, which is low maintenance, affordability and healthy strands. 💪🏾😊👌🏾
How do u wash your hair? Do u do sections?, i have locs (but unfortunately have to comb them out), and it took me around 30 minutes to wash and moisturize my hair 🙌🏾 it made me realize that washing my hair shouldn’t take me more than that, even with my loose natural hair. I would love to know how you go about it (also because you have 4c hair too)!thank youu 😊
I stopped using relaxers over 20 years ago and I will NEVER relax my hair again. My mom started relaxing my hair when I was a child and I continued it into my adult years. I ended up with active uterine fibroids that caused me to bleed so heavily during my periods that I ended up in the hospital anemic to the point that I required 6 units of blood!
Wow that’s crazy! I’m sorry you experienced that. It makes me wonder if that’s how fibroids can get passed on genetically, since those toxic chemicals are so strong, maybe that gets passed on to the baby if a woman has been getting relaxers for a long time. My mom used to have periods that bad too. I used to have bad periods where I felt like I was dying. I never had a relaxer thankfully because my mom figured out the health risks. I wonder if there’s a correlation between mothers getting relaxers for a certain period of time and painful periods/fibroids being passed onto the daughter.
@@Sahara333 I think there is a connection between getting relaxers and hormonal problems! My sister who got relaxers from her childhood to her adulthood has severe fibroids and she had complications (sadly) when she got pregnant😞.
My aunt who has been on low cut, never grown her hair, shaves it close to head so doesn't use any product has had fibroid the size of a five month fetus. Doesn't always follow.
I went back to relaxers after I had my first child. I LOVED being natural, and now I love being relaxed without having to compromise a whole day each week with my young children to simply shampoo my hair. You can now find me at the park or a museum on weekends rather than with my head in the sink all day 💛
Hello dmpls84 and that is completely fine! Your hair works for you and your lifestyle. It has cross my mind that if I have a girl just how long it will take to do both out hair lol ( I cant even imagine )
I also think mainstream social media (the look of the Influencer girls) and possibly a decline in the attention that they would normally get from black men is also a factor for some of these girls/women...I don't think most would admit to it though.
Hello Sun Goddess. I agree with you! When I’m out or on social media I am seeing an influx of wigs and laid baby hairs lol, which again … fine if that is what you like. I don’t think a lot of women will admit that. Let’s be honest we get dressed up to feel and look good but we get dressed up for men as well and if the men you want to attract don’t like the “ natural look “ you will not gravitate towards that look.
Agreed. Barely anybody is wearing their natural hair out, everybody rocking a 30 inch buss down part, and most peoples natural hair won’t give them the same sleek look. Of course no one will actually admit that.
Your right people tried to tell me I was lying but when I first went natural it wasn’t the black boys trying to talk to me, it was the Spanish, white or Indias trying to talk to me. My now husband is the ONLY BLACK MAN IN MY LIFE (not even my blood brothers or father) who loved my natural hair back when it was a teeny weenie Afro when we first met 10 years ago. Now that my hair is very long only now are brothers trying to stop me or ask me questions about my hair. And they swear up and down that I “must be mixed with something” honestly it’s sad af
Good topic for discussion. Studies show relaxers are possibly linked to uterine cancer, so I think a few are, but most are learning to style their natural hair, embracing its beauty, diversity and staying as healthy as possible.
The number one reason is Black women are WESTERNIZED. The hairstyles that we grew up on, the texture we were taught to love and adore, and the culture we live in promotes Westernized Eurocentric hairstyles. So, the number one reason comes down to Eurocentric cultural beauty practices with some elements of our African origin styles when it comes to hair resulting in discrimination towards our hair, sewing negative views about our hair, wanting to appeal to our men who most of them accept Eurocentric beauty standards, and struggling to understand and properly care for our hair.
My hair went from natural to relaxed to natural and back to relaxed. I probably get a relaxer 2-3 times a year. My problem was my natural hair was too much extra work, too time consuming, styles didn’t last, and because I ride horses regularly and sometimes competitively dealing with the sweat and dirt and helmet (helmets are expensive too) sizing issues on a regular basis was a nightmare. I tried to keep my routine simple. When I went to the salon to get my hair done and the stylist put too much heat on my hair and some of the curls wouldn’t revert, that was the last straw and I went back to relaxing.
I've never had a relaxer but I was a "flat iron natural" for several years. My hair never grew past the apl (arm-pit length) mark. I think the people who are the most successful on their natural hair journey are those who embrace natural hairstyles like two strand twists, braids, flat twists etc AND their hair texture. Also, the first 2 years are the hardest, you have to learn the hairstyles that work for your schedule and skill level. You have to give the Eurocentric idea of straight flowy hair - otherwise, it's frustrating fighting against your natural curls.
Some Persons went natural hoping to get length. They never really embraced their natural hair. They will relax hair, then when it begin falling/breaking off, will big chop and start over😂😂
I recently went back to relaxers after "embracing" my natural hair for three months (this was the fourth embrace over the years). If there is a 5c hair, I think I have it. Hundreds of dollars spent on products, combs, brushes, electric brushes, Flat irons, time spent trying to style my hair which never lasted more than a day. My natural hair was a constant reminder of why I started relaxing it in the first place. I got to a point where I combed/brushed it back as best I could, then hairpinned (numerous hair pins) it in place, and I hated that look. I now relax it again and I'm not going back to natural.
I don’t think I will ever use relaxers or dyes again. If I want a straight look, color, or if I’m feeling lazy I’ll wear a wig. But to permanently sever my curls with a known cancer agent seeping into my scalp. I can’t do it.
I'm a professional haircare manufacturer. One of the main challenges we have is the Over the Counter relaxers are the most used relaxers. The thing is you should always have it professionally done for the safest and best results. That's not to say there have never been incidents of malpractice in application by professionals. However the vast vast majority perform them correctly. My entire household is natural, so I've not only supported the natural hair movement, I've made products for natural hair for years. No matter what the choice I love healthy hair and not abusing the "Protective Stlye" use.
Thank you for your videos. I have been natural since 2005 and I love my natural hair texture 4b/4c. In the beginning, I also did not know what to do and there were so many influencers showing the products they use that I would try to mirror. Honestly, you have to keep it simple. Give yourself time and you will find what works for you. Does your hair need moisture, yes. Do you need to trim, yes. Find protective styles that work for you. The less your hands are in your hair, the better. I am not going back to relaxers.
I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to cut wash day into wash hour and a half because the wash day had me seriously thinking about relaxing or becoming a heat trained natural.
I used to have scalp problems until I started putting neem oil in my conditioner, most Indian stores sell it and it’s usually cheaper there than online.
When I started Uni this year, most of my room mates had relaxed hair and they would tell mye my natural hair is ugly so I should relax it. I didn't. In the words of Mz Vee, I'm a natural girl. My hair is ugly today because I don't have the money to buy all the products I need to take care of it. Hair care in general is not a thing in my country due to stupid basic to senior high school rules that prohibits growing your hair out long, so many people don't know how to take care of their hair and even when they learn how to, they may not get the money to buy all the necessary products. That's why my relaxed roommates who were trying to pressure me into relaxing my hair also had ugly hair. I'm glad I didn't listen to them and stayed a committed natural. One girl even told me my hair was ugly like her's when she was natural so I should relax it. Unfortunately for her, but fortunately for me, cause it meant I didn't have to listen to her, her relaxed hair was so damaged it had lost it's black colour, was ultra weak, and every time she would take down her braids, she would lament over it breaking so much and go on and on about how much she wanted to cut it all off. She couldn't love her hair no matter what state it was in. Glad I didn't listen to her. Anyways, there are very real natural girls here on UA-cam like Star puppy who helped me realize that my hair just needs care and love and you bet I'm going to give it more of it when I get the money to buy all the products I need. Until then I'm sticking to the aloe vera that grows in my flower bed, and some available essential oils I got earlier this year.
I went natural at age 12. Told my mom to leave my hair alone and that I was old enough to care for it myself. I don’t get the hype about straight relaxed hair. I find it boring. Yes my hair is a lot of work. It’s thick,dense and high porosity. (Pray for me 😂)but what would I do if relaxers didn’t exist? I’d learn to work with my hair. I love my hair and will never get a perm. When I tired of it I put some box braids in until I miss it again. Plus relaxed are linked to fibroids
😊My hair stylist 30 years ago helped me grow out the relaxer I used to wear. Now I'm actually thinking of growing out my hair into locks. It is interesting that many are planning in suing companies. Natural hair is is good as you can do it.
Hello Diane. I am so happy that you a hairdresser help with your transition! I love locs ! The suing videos about relaxers are popping up on my feed as well.
Its not only black women suing so that will possibly open the narrative. @Klasically Kept I like this feed is an honest mixture of feelings and I appreciate the facts. I really don't see anyone else complaining about the hair they were given. Or when they warn each other about possible complications, why are they not calling it bullying? It's like East vs West; relaxed being natural? Are we not more diverse? Look at the creativity we create to show self appreciation; to show self love through our hair. Maybe Instead of objecting we can uplift & share a constructive perspective. 💌
7 yrs in and I wish I went natural sooner! I’ve always hated relaxers but it was easy for me. After raising my self esteem. I keep my hair in twist. I do get those comments from people telling me to do my hair even though it’s already done. None the less I’ll be waiting for the “relaxer broke my hair” trend. And yesss to the revair!!!!! ❤️❤️ I love it I got the both the newer version is better. I gave my brothers fiancé my old one as an enhanced gift! You’ll love it! ❤️
Hello Aniexo, I am so glad you were able to gai your self esteem back. Mini twists are my go to hairstyle and Iove them, I just ignore the comments I keep hearing nothing but good things about the Revair! I gasped when I saw the box dropped off on my door step. lmbo. I CANNOT wait to try it!
God bless and more power to the people who are comfortable with relaxers in the hair. Personally I will never put another relaxer in my hair. If I want my hair straight for a minute I will do an old fashioned silk press. I know they don't last long but that's okay. I don't mind my hair curling up when it's hot & humid. I like the versatility of being natural. As I've gotten older I'm terrified about the effects that constant chemicals seeping in my head pores will cause. I was previously relaxed for 20 years or more. Never again.
There are no “rules” to natural hair. Problem is people take natural hair guru’s opinions to heart as if they are the president of the natural hair community. If a person goes back to relaxer it is because they don’t want to put in the work. Knowing that perms cause health problems like fibroids, why on earth would we continue to put that mess in out hair. If you want straight hair get a silk press or Dominican blowout. Not something that could permanently damage your hair and overall health.
it disrupted my hormone and when I started having children, some things changed every time. When I had My first child, I had to start using my glasses again When I had my first miscarriage, my body system changed completely for almost two years. When I had my last child, my sense of smell changed completely and now I have a very high sensitivity to a lot of smells and I couldn't sing soprano again. The bottom line is, my body hates any form of disruption so, I try as much as possible, to use what I know works and what will not aggravate it. Sorry for my Epistle 🙏🏿
Me neither. I've been natural for 20yrs. I will never go back. My hair started slowing breaking off and falling out after going to a so called highly recommended award winning hairdresser. I cut it all off and never looked back. And now these new studies coming out are linking breast cancer in black women to these chemicals its definitely a no for me.
With all of this literature/research coming out about the correlation between chemical straighteners and cervical cancer… I would make a full stop if I were them.
I wish I heard this message 7 years ago, UA-cam mislead me, I sat and watched countless videos and spent over a grand💰 just buying crap that didn't even work for my hair, I started over and just do me and keep it simple with ole school products which works great for me, ,l learned and I always keep a wig on standby if I don't feel like messing with it,, but I did color and am happy, but no more relaxed hair for me, and no more migraines since I went natural 🤷🤷, image that
Hello PTK4life. Thank you for sharing. I am so glad you found something that you found something that works for you. It took me a second to find what worked for me as well and I am still learning. As I have said before being natural is a journey and I constantly learning and see new things
I've been natural since 2008. I've had highs and lows in my natural journey. In my lifetime I only had my hair relaxed for about 5 years of my life. Today I am planning on relaxing my hair and cutting it into a cute bob. I'm tired of having damaged hair despite all the things I've done and do to have healthy hair. I deep condition 1-2x a month. I've learned that the LCO method works for me phenomenally. But I've been vegetarian for 4-5 years and its contributed to my hair thinning. I use olaplex to prevent breakage. Natural is just not for everyone. Just like specific diets or styles and trends. Its every individual persons choice.
Maybe some are returning to hair salons. I don't see a trend back to relaxers other than with influencers. You tube channels made loose naturals look so hard, in my opinion. I never liked spending a lot of time on my hair. I wore a loose natural for 6 months and found it exhausting. Then I went to locs. I'm too happy. Yay for me!
lol yes yay for you. Hello Mimi. In my area/city I have noticed while I am out, I am seeing more and more women with wigs and relaxers than I did about a year ago. I am happy you were able to find a way to maintain the health of your hair and a style that you like. I definitely agree that having loose natural hair can be time consuming, but honestly, I wouldn't have my hair any other way !
Just the thought of putting the creamy crack back into my hair, touching my scalp, and the chemical smell...🤢. Been natural since '03 and nothing about that process aligns with me.
It would be interesting to know the age range of the women who are going back natural? Are they 50+ ? My experience is that the younger generation have no issues whatsoever with their natural hair, however the 50+ who have the negative experiences of “hard hair” seems to struggle more. I’m 47 and am surrounded by women professionally, friends and family who are all natural. The 1 woman I know who is still relaxed is 50+ and spends a lot of time talking about wanting to transition to natural but finding it difficult. I wish all black women peace with their hair ❤.
Acceptance is a huge part I’ve been natural 10 years and I started hating it in year 8 because it was mid back and looked short so I was fighting the shrinkage and broke my hair off. Now I’m back to just doing what I know works twist outs and chill!
Maybe for UA-cam Community but not in real life. For personal health reasons, I stopped relaxers altogether in 2017 and These are the things I no longer do to my hair; *THINGS I NO LONGER DO TO MY HAIR* 1. Detangle in the Shower: saves conditioner, shortens my washing and unnecessary shedding. 2. Oil my Scalp: I don't oil or grease my scalp to avoid scalp irritation and suffocation. I only do a hot oil treatment once in a blue moon and I wash it off with a gentle shampoo. 3. Wash for Hours: I have a regimented washing and it takes me just 30-45 mins maximum including bathing. 4. Postpone Wash Day: I don't postpone my washday to avoid scalp inflammation, irritation, and aggravation. 5. Self-Trim/Protein Treatment: I prefer to get a professional trim instead of sabotaging my cuticle and I don't do protein treatment arbitrarily; I only do one when it is very necessary. 6. Deep Condition Every Wash or Overnight: I do one when it's necessary and never overnight because my scalp hates being wet overnight or for a long period. 7. Complicated Hairstyle: my scalp hates being suffocated so, I hold on to a simple routine. 8. DIYs: since I'm not a cosmetic scientist or chemist, I leave it to the pros. 9. Cold Water Rinse: I have never been a believer and I'm never going to believe in it. 10. Buy Unnecessary Hair Products: I don't subscribe to FOMO, fear-mongering, and all sorts. I buy what works for my hair based on its need. 11. Bandwagon: I don't follow bandwagon, influencers, and recruit haters. I listen to my hair and do what works for it not being anybody's minion or nazi follower. 12. Hairstyles: I don't do unrealistic hairstyles that will eventually cause me both pain and money! There's nothing that will take me back to relaxers; I'll rather cut my hair.
I definitely agree and I think apart of it is rooted in anti blackness like you said. Even looking at some naturals , they also don’t like or accept their hair but because the relaxer had such a bad effect on their scalp they’ll just always cover their hair with weaves and wigs. Which I don’t have an issue because it’s not my head but The excuse I hear often as well is how time consuming it is and atp I’m calling bs , with wigs does it not take a long time to wash your hair , bellow dry it , braid it down and then successfully glue this wig on ? Plus the maintenance cost if your having some install it because the cost of natural hair is another thing I tend to see alot as if relaxers, wigs and weaves don’t cost just as much if not more. I have also been told that with trying to achieve certain styles it takes long and then the style either doesn’t last long or doesn’t come out like how a person wanted which I can sympathize with your hair drying out quicker then one would like and having to complete the long process again. I do think when styles don’t come out as desired it just depends again on whether people are accepting what there hair can do or taking time to fix the technique. I know you were mainly speaking about relaxers but I just wanted to add this in
I agree with you so much. This is how I was feeling about my natural hair journey but what I recognized is that when my hair was relaxed after a couple of weeks my hair had new growth and it started looking tough around the edges and that’s when the over processing started with my hair and it started breaking off and I had bald spots coming because I wearing wearing half wigs ( the bald spots were where the combs were placed in my hair). My hair was a hot mess, and I decided to get the big chop . Now, after listening to so many people on their wash and go and all of the products, I just stopped….and began to think, I just simply wash, deep conditioning and the little things and move on. At times, I am frustrated with my hair because of what society thinks of natural hair and I get those looks that make me feel like an out cast, but then I think about how it was when I had my relaxer and the thought goes away about getting a relaxer.
My hair is locd and wanted to loc it since I was 10. It is the most natural way to wear my hair and I love it. To each their own as long as the switch back isn’t because someone or the media has made me feel unattractive.
I get sooooooooo many compliments from black men on my natural hair, and they be staring, no lie in Jesus name, this one white woman walked up to me, she said I love your hair, I said is that the hair God blessed you with, she laughed and said yes, I said, I love your’s to, God makes no mistakes, none, 0 zero.
I did not know what to do with my natural hair. My hair felt like a barrel of hay. I stopped doing the overnight stretch without heat. Now I stretch my hair with low heat after each wash and my hair has grown so much. I wear it blown out in a bun, chignon, flexi rod sets on blown out hair, and a curling wand or bubble wand. I love my natural hair, and I style it blown out. I use a flat iron only when I need a trim.
Hello April. I am so happy that you found a regimen that works for you. I have recently tried some new products and will be implementing them into my hair care. Being natural is a journey and I am always so excited when I find a n ew product that works for me
I’ve been natural for about 8 years now. I’m type 4 with thick hair. I’ve tried being a wash n go natural, a pixie cut natural, braids, a wigged natural, & a silk press natural. I enjoyed all of it, & I’m ready to go back permanently straight. As soon as I get a steady income, I’m going to try the Japanese relaxer!
Sorry for the long comment in advance. I haven't watched your natural hair story, but I also never did the big chop. I accidentally went natural. I started getting weaves about 9 years ago, and had weaves basically full time until the big c hit in 2020. I started relaxed and my stylist actually said we didn't need to relax my whole head because it was just going to be braided under the sew in, so I stopped relaxing that and just relaxed the leave out. Eventually we stopped relaxing that, too. I don't remember it being a conscious choice, just one less step. I never once said to myself, "Self, I am deciding to go natural." In fact, I always assumed if I stopped getting weaves I would just relax my hair again. Cut to summer, may/June 2020 and I desperately needed a takedown/redo of my extensions but the salon wasn't open, so I cut out my own weave (not a smooth process for me) but voila, I've been natural ever since (and I guess before that under the weave) and when I did go back to the salon, surprise! I had mid back hair (we did always trim/cut between extensions). I must have had a good stylist because I never suffered from traction alopecia, had all my edges (we would leave my edges out) and never had any issues with the near decade of weaves, except cost! I've managed to grow my hair a bit longer still, but am not afraid to cut it when I visit the salon about 4 times a year (I always take at least an inch off, sometimes more). But early on I turned to UA-cam to help me manage and learn about my 4C hair and it was a mess. I bought ALL the products, wash n go's are still horrible for me and I tried one again last month and it's a big nope, I was frustrated I couldn't get very good definition, etc. I was completely overwhelmed and it's honestly a miracle I didn't go relaxed in late 2020 or early 2021, because I thought about it. I don't blame these women, who are now back at work and running even more ragged than they might have been before the pandemic hit. My job is much more stressful and intense now that it was before C because we are still adjusting and catching up on what we missed, plus all the normal stuff that doesn't stop coming. I eventually became a lazy natural. My wash days are a few hours, and I'll French braid my hair (either one singular or two braids) and either rock the braid, wear ponytail extensions, or wigs. Worked awesome when work was zoom only and I wasn't going anywhere. No reason to manipulate my hair at all. Left it braided for weeks, oiled it, used leave in conditions, but didn't manipulate it much at all! I basically still work the same way. My hair is mostly in protective styles, I have no problem rocking a french braid for weeks and throwing a wig over it if I feel like it during the week (headband wigs, Never bothered to learn about lace wigs and mouse and sprays. That just sounds like edge damage to me) or wrapping the tail of the braid in a bun and adding a drawstring ponytail. I do straighten my hair probably 4 times a year, and that works for me, too! When that starts to get a little limp and oily, I have found a braid out extends that stretch by adding volume and "curls" that don't look weighed down the same way a straight style does with extra product. Now that I have found a routine that works I can't see myself going back to relaxing, but only because I have started to try and avoid chemicals for various personal reasons. I have considered getting another sew in, and probably will next year. To me that is my "going back to easy/don't want to deal with the work" solution. I only have to deal with a little leave out, I still wash my hair and I can get up and go, but don't have to commit quite as much time, even as a lazy natural that doesn't commit all that much time to begin with.
Hello Danielle , don't apologize for the long comment, we keep it respectful here and we listen to everyone. I love that you broke down your story and why you choose to care for your hair how you do. Being natural means different things to different people, just because you wear wigs doesn't mean you are natural or a sell out. As I stated in the video and all the time being natural can be time consuming, my wash days are wash days, installing my mini twists is a mini twist day. Now your hairstylist...I have my own opinions on them, lol ( story for another time. ) Your stylist was sent to you from hair heaven and I am so glad you had a smooth transition and that your hairstylist took the best care of your hair. I think for a lot of women if they could find solid products and a solid routine they would stay natural or think about going natural. I think for a lot of women uncertainty plays a major role in hair making decisions. I get it: a girlfriend calls you at 8am to go to brunch at 11 you have to get dressed and figure out what to do with your hair. You have a formal event to go to, what do you do with your hair? To this DAY wash and goes and I are NOT friends lol I have tried it all. Thank you so much for sharing your story
🗣️ yesss the weather !!! I always say this my texture literally changed when i moved to Atlanta and I’m a Cali girl when i moved back to Cali it change again. Environment matters!!! Wash n go and i aren’t friends either I’ve tried all attempts and it a no for me
Relaxers cause fibroids and cancers. If you want to permanently straighten your hair do Japanese hair bonding it’s better than relaxers. However for me I love my natural hair and not going back. When I want a straight look I either get a silk press or wear wigs💗
If I want it straight, my hair can do that, if I want curls, it can do that too. If I want twists or braids I can achieve the same look that others covet with no weave. This is a fallacy. While some women are going relaxed, there are those of us who wear our hair in its natural state because anything else is cruelty towards it. Being 4c with a perm was the worst idea my caregivers as a child ever did to me. When it grew out, there was NO blend. The hot presses were just as if not more manageable. Perms are a false sense of easy. I spent so much time and money getting my hair done only for it to last a day.
Hello Monique , I love the fact that natural hair is so versatile as well. Like you I got a relaxer when I young and it wasn't even my mother, a family member waited until she went out of town to take me to get one. I know for me I will never get a relaxer again, my hair is thriving and so much healthier.
For dry scalp or any scalp problem use clove water spray, literally heals all scalp problem. Congratulation on your rev air it a game changer and hair saver!
I get bored with straight hair fast!! I love my mini twists for the same reasons as you ❤❤😊 I think some people went natural because it was a trend and not for health reasons. When you know the health repercussions of not being natural, you will work with what you have. I also think that the exploitation that Corporations exercised, of the self hate that a lot of black women have is a factor. Black people are the biggest consumers in US yet they own the least of everything. We ( black people) don't realize that we set the trends and we have the ability to speed up and slow down the markets with our purchasing power.
To each his own I would say / I STOPPED RELAXING my hair 6 years ago I just got tired of the smell of the relaxer, the smell of the neutralizer ...how many times I had to wash my hair to get the chemicals out of my hair. When I did it myself it came out really nice! I really stopped doing it because I started getting nervous about my health worrying that the relaxer was seeping into my scalp...Going to the salon having them mess my hair up there, spending so much money.... Them charging separate price for this, separate price for that 🤔. Soooooo if I decide to have my hair straight I will just get a blowout which I really need soon! soon! soon! lol! YEP... I do need a trim for real ,for real!!!! Haven't had Heat on my hair 6 years. I know it's time WAY OVER TIME ... 😂 and it's probably damaged. When I did the big chop with my husband's help 😂😂😂😂😂 l Barely had a teeny weeny ponytail!!!! 😂 Not even that the scrunchie couldn't even catch all of the little bit of hair 😂. My aim was for healthy hair and scalp 😁 I ATTEMPTED TRIMMING LOL! Now I am at waist length... I want to leave my hair out... Just to at least go a little past my shoulders. I Like my wavy natural Look... Any ideas I do welcome!! 😁 OMG, BTW the shrinkage is real lol!! Just got to find the right products. I thank goodness I did not become a product junkie 😂 protective styles NO ain't got no time for that lol! I'm 72 years old December 29th... Tired of wearing a scarf, or a cap and a doggone bun and sometimes banded ponytail! 🆘!!!! (Okay EVERYBODY I WISH YOU ALL a GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON to THOSE you LOVE and CARE for... PEACE, LOVE and BLESSINGS!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR AS WELL!!!!) 💕
Here are my thoughts, I had decent relaxed hair from when I was too young to remember until I was 16 and decided to stop, the main reason I stopped is because I was always so impressed by natural hair and wanted an afro - I also felt that black women need to show the world and ourselves that our hair can be acceptable. So I transitioned for 8 months then big chopped. I've been natural 6 years now and only this year is my hair starting to flourish because I now know my hair more than ever. A lot of people went natural because that was the trend at the time and I think those people will go back now that it's no longer a trend, those I know who went back don't have better relaxed hair after relaxer their hair starts to decline the only girls I know with good relaxed hair are the ones who had it from the beginning. What helped my journey is that when I started I bumped into a lot of channels that were calling out the 3C supremacy and urging black women to love their hair and treat it the way it needs to, one of the channels I used to watch also urged black women (I'm African) to realize that in order to level up in the dating market they need to stay slim and embrace their natural hair because wearing a hair texture everyone knows is not ours gives other women a one up on us. A lot has influenced my natural hair, I potentially have a uterine disorder and the knowledge that relaxers caused or exasperated them keeps me far from even thinking of relaxer. It's also not practical to me, once you relax you need to stay with it until you big chop again, how can I do that for decades till I die? If I get tired of my natural hair I'd get sister locks.
I’m African as well 🥰🥰. And i think natural hair attracts a certain type of man. My ex (who was African but i think had self hate issues) wanted more weaves and makeup. My husband (African as well) dont even want to hear mr say the words “relaxers” lol he loves my natural hair and thinks black women are the best. The one time i said i wish i had a white girls hair from the show we were watching cus it will be easier to do he basically said my hair is African and beautiful and suits face so to be proud of it. I just wish more women back home can stop with the relaxers and other womens hair be it Indian or Brazilian
Sorry I'm late but I had to say something and here it is: Been natural for a lot of years and experienced situations where I felt I had just a certain plateau of growth. I've had my days of frustration: you know rushing, tearing at it, crying etc. but I've learned from the videos how to cull from them what I needed for incorporating for my own process. However, I will say that the most important thing as a natural for me is: I like my hair and like a plant, it knows it. Thank you for your thoughts.
I used to say I’d always get a relaxer. But after having a relaxer take my hair out twice (literally falling out and going bald) I decided natural was for me. I get blowouts sometimes and straighten when I want. I’m not strict about products and procedures like I was when I first went natural many years ago. I wasted a lot of time and money 😂 Cheap products and Blue Magic work great and my routine is easy and works. Natural and relaxed hair is work and can be costly depending on products and salon visits. So we should pick what best suits us. If I hadn’t had issues with relaxers I’d probably have one today. However I have learned to love my natural texture and I like the options for styling. I’m not a wig or weave wearer so I have to make my actual hair work for me and I do. Just as all women should and if relaxed or straightened by any method is preferred then so it. Preference is just that & we are free to choose. I prefer coloring my hair instead of showing gray hair. Doesn’t mean I hate it, I just prefer to color it. All this hair talk has me thinking about making an appointment for a blowout 😂
I switched back to natural hair in 09 and never looked back! At the same time I feel like I still am "natural" because I was not relaxed for a long period of time and I was doing it because other people were doing it. That being said, I like my natural hair and what it comes with! I learned so much throughout the years and I could never go back to relaxed hair. And even though I have hair down my back, my wash day is never more than an hour.
@@zhaystyle I detangle the night before very thoroughly and keep my hair in sections. I proceed to wash (I open my twists after the shampoo and twist them back up) and deep condition. I rinse thoroughly while in twist. It usually takes 45-50 min
I relaxed my hair last month after being natural for about 9 yrs (but most of my life). It went from a twa to a pixie; it was cute but once the new growth started showing I remembered why I was annoyed by relaxers 😭 When my natural hair was longer, it was pretty easy for me. Wash was about 1 hr including showering, then twists that I'd wear until the next wash week. I didn't care for twist outs etc, but I understand those that wanted constant versatility. Now I shave my head not because I don't like my natural hair, but because I've always wanted to and I think it fits me better than longer hair. Black women can do whatever the hell they want with their hair at the end of the day. Not my hair or money, so I'm minding mine 💁🏾♀️
Hello Chocolate Cosmos, I am happy that you found what works for you. You are absolutely correct , Black women can do whatever they want with their hair, this video was just simply discussing reasons why some women are getting relaxers.
I guess everyone's experience is different but maintaining my relaxed hair was costly especially because of my hair texture. I would spend hours at the hairdresser. I can decide if I want to do a quick wash with my natural hair or deep treatment and occasionally visit the professional. When I tried that with relaxed hair, I would damage it. Not to mention more and more info coming out about the increased health risks when using a lot of these products. I hope black hair content creators don't stop because that's how I am learning to take care of my natural hair at home.
Black women are not going back to relaxers, natural hair is not done. *Some* black women have decided that relaxed hair works best for them. There's gonna be a natural divide between women who want their hair relaxed and women who want their hair natural. There's nothing wrong with that, you wear your hair in which ever way works best for you. But that's all that's happening, a lot of women went natural and some decided it doesn't work for them. There are still a lot of black women who could never go back to relaxed hair. How could you even claim that our natural hair texture is "done" like it's just some sort of trend and not the hair that grows from our head.
I’m considering going back to relaxers after 16yrs natural. I’m just over it. I’ve never followed the “rules” but my active lifestyle and mental health make natural hair a chore.
I think after going natural and someone's hair grows out, they want to rock the true length by relaxing. I think that our natural hair is the most versatile, especially 4C hair. I do get that the process is time-consuming when it's natural especially when it's long and thick like yours. However, naturals should also remember that fibroids have been linked to relaxers in black women.
Hey Jennifer. I can understand that, I know people will call me crazy but after washing my hair and drying it in my jumbo twists I feel bald ( referring to your length comment ). I cannot understand after all hat hard work some people want their length to show. Health is always a top priority, for the body and for your scalp. With that said health is one of the reasons I will never get a relaxer again.
@@tmarie5504 ba (shots)by. 4 girls in the family. All three of us who mama allowed to get it all have the same diseases including fib (roids) and the last sis who turned 37 yesterday, my mama didn't give her any and she has none of what we have. She has never been to a doctor.
I had fibroids and endometriosis. I've been natural 9 years in November. I wish I had never put the chemicals in my hair. If someone wants to use permanent relaxers, I just want them to enjoy their journey.
I never kept hair with relaxers, even with kids' relaxers. I have a lot of hair with natural. I'm staying natural, wearing my wigs to give my hair a break, but keeping my natural hair. I got hair for the first time in my life, and I'm keeping it.
There's a lot of new information on the right way to care for relaxed hair. As far as coating the previously relaxed hair and basing the entire scalp and prepping hair the week before getting a relaxer!
Let me add to the convo, sis. I have the often coveted type 3 hair. l tried a keratin treatment to relax my curls once. Long story short l learned l wasn’t supposed to shampoo my hair directly after the treatment 😂😂😂 l returned back to my curls. I now have a young adult daughter who’s comfortable in braids because l kept my hair natural and l’ve always kept hers as well. My husband and l gave her lots of loving assurances when she wore braided styles growing up. I took loads of pictures of her in various braided hairstyles. My go-to styles are twists or a bun. No matter our hair type, if we show our daughters our self love, they will also love themselves ❤❤❤. I don’t know if this counts but my daughter and l are lightskin with different hair textures. I always made sure she loved her hair texture. She still wears braids and to her white collar job and is doing well. I wanted to add this because as women of color it’s important we ALL support and love each other and our great diversity.
Hello Mary. I love your comment and they way you raised your daughter, if I am ever blessed with one, I will do the same. My mother raised me to love both my complexion and my hair. It is important for young women of color know that they are beautiful with their natural hair and that they don't need to alter it to fit in. I also love how your husband was apart of this as well. The coveted hair texture is another issue for another time lol.
I can’t get with the relaxer again. If I want straight hair I’ll just be a straight hair natural. I’ve been natural for many many years now and I’ve never straighten because I don’t really miss the look of my hair being straight but sometimes the ease of it being straight and that’s not enough to make me relax or straighten my hair.
New to your channel and love this video. I finally accepted my curly hair in my 50s! About time! I love it, no more bleach and straightening. You are gorgeous and I wish you all the very best, Merry Christmas 🎄 🙏🏼⭐🌹💐
I have been natural for 5 years now and I would not go back to relaxers for nothing. Yes, it was frustrating with all the information from different influencers & products at first and just the growing process from a big chop is probably what most people don't have patients for because with the naked eye it doesn't look like your hair is growing because of the shrinkage, when in fact is has probably grown way more then what you have thought. The eye will fool you big time and it may seen like you are doing all of the steps for naught. I learned patients is the key and I have come to realize I just need the basic steps: good cleansing products, good deep conditioning products, and good hydration/moisturizing products with a slight routine with that. I have come to realize everyone's hair is different. Some need to shampoo weekly. Some do it every 2 weeks. Some do it once a month. It depends on your lifestyle and what you want to accomplish. I have also learned that I do not have to do things like deep condition or a special hair mask for an hour, 3 hours, or over night. I just use a heating cap, hair steamer, or sit under the dryer with a conditioning cap on and sit for around 20 or 30 min. I have also learned not to be in my head everyday to do twist. I have learned that with my hair if I want a twist out or a braid out I treat it like I am doing a roller set by using a good mousse and either sitting under the dryer or let it air dry and really only have to pick the new growth out or just leave the twist or braids in and don't have to do anything but take care of my scalp until wash day. Too take care of my scalp I just use Sulfur 8 anti dandruff spray w/wild grow oil and in between day's I will add my water w/aloe, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, & caster oil along with my Sulfur 8 spray. Then I will seal it in with my hair wild grow oil. This helps so much especially with eczema. That Sulfur 8 is amazing. I am learning about other things that I can make in junction with my conditioners, & sprays too boost some nutritional properties. I just decided that I need to do what works for my scalp health and hair retention and not take forever to do it because back in the day when we were children and had long healthy hair our mom's did not do all the things we are doing which is funny to me. Relaxed hair need work too. I don't care what anyone say's. I couldn't just get up and go with my relaxer. You gotta get that wrap right or your hair looked crazy. Your hair would go limp in humidity. You don't want to go swimming with relaxed hair. I swim all the time with natural hair because all I have to do is clarify, use moisturizing shampoo, condition it, put in my moisturizer or mousse. Seal those ends and slap two french braids in or or ponytail it and I'm good to go. Also, I still say if you put anything on your scalp that burns. It is not good for you.
Great discussion! The health risks of a relaxer are so bad and pretty scary. I understand why some of us get them, but I’m glad my mom never made me get one. It makes me wonder if that’s how fibroids can get passed on genetically, since those toxic chemicals are so strong, maybe that gets passed on to the baby if a woman has been getting relaxers for a long time. My mom used to have periods so bad that she would go to the hospital from losing so much blood. She also used to get relaxers a lot for a long time. I used to have bad periods where I felt like I was dying. I never had a relaxer thankfully because my mom figured out the health risks. I wonder if there’s a correlation between mothers getting relaxers for a certain period of time and painful periods/fibroids being passed onto the daughter. I don’t know if any women in my immediate family who didn’t get a relaxer.
I absolutely love love love my natural hair. It can be dry and when I wash it I have to immediately detangle and I love every bit of it. I will never ever go back to being relaxed, it’s just not the same. I looove wash days because I get to use my products and see my hair flourish at the end. I will never look at relaxers the same.
Hello Kadijah. I love my natural hair as well, I will never go back to a relaxer. Wash days are long for me , but I actually find installing my mini twists to be very therapeutic.
Agree 1 thousand percent! Never again!
Cause the media is saying it's linked 2 cancer ??? But who believes the media NOW !!! I'm learning 2 love my natural 4c hair I know how 2 take care of my hair now 🥰🥰 it's growing like weeds I'm loving it and really knowledgeable now 💯🥰
I also mainly wear my hair in mini twist it’s been life changing for my natural hair experience and hair growth (I’ve been natural 10 years) and it is actually very calming i pre part my front then just part across and pick up pieces in the back and watch my shows.
I will not put crack cream in my head. These products cause balding fibroid infertility. People don't realise the product goes into your blood stream. Nope nope nope
Natural hair will never be done. However we failed us. We did not uplift coily textures enough and still considering it unkempt if it isn't manipulated to the max, hair influencers lying about products and putting out false information, the obsession with the perfect curl, way too long routines killed (wash day became scary), let's keep it real we all know the mainstream looks that are deemed attractive, gimmicky products from brands and black owned brand not paying black women or let alone have them on their ads.
The thing is after a year or 2 everyone will remember why we transitioned in the first place and remember that the grass isn't greener on the other side. Relaxed hair is as demanding if not more in upkeep but people tend to forget because it being straight and desired
Hello Rosette.
Not at all. Natural hair will never go away. You are correct; within the natural hair movement and community certain hair textures are uplifted more than others.
As someone who does natural hair content, I always want to make sure my information is correct and that I am not giving false testimony, especially for products when I know it won’t give the desired result, can be damaging, or is misleading.
I know some women who have gone back to relaxed and are now seeking to come back to the natural side lol. “ We welcome you with open arms !”
Black men failed us. BW did the work to go back to our roots, tho we weren’t celebrated but bashed and out down compared to our counterparts
@@sheeshneesh yes, black men had their revolution decades ago when they put away the straightener and never looked back. but they didn't respect our revolution.
@@eristotle2380 💯
I agree if we did we would have been fine
I loooovvveee being relaxed. My hair is extremely thick and healthy. I’d don’t have to worry about getting in the water, vacations, going to the gym everyday, sweating out my hair while dancing, hours of hair prep, etc. The amount of time it gives your life back is liberating. My hair thrives relaxed though, I just make sure I have a good hair regimen and I spend waaaay less money than I did natural. If someone has hair that thrives better natural then go for it luv 😊.
💯 day to day relaxed hair is less work. I'm also very lazy and being g natural was too much work for me to keep a decent looking style. I went back to relaxer earlier this year after being natural since 2015.
You are going to have fibroids or already have Fibroids that’s what happens when you use relaxers all the time
@@dominquel6574 stfu that’s a lie
is the "convenience" worth the risk though? Its a cover up for self hate. Sorry
@@dominquel6574 I have used relaxers since I was a young girl and I'm almost 50 and I don't have fibroids.
I’ve tried both ways twice 😂 and I’ve come to the conclusion that my hair grows and retains length better when it’s relaxed. So being relaxed is for ME. 🙂
3:00 I haven't had a perm in two weeks and I can't take it so I am going to perm my hair back again
Been natural since 2011. It's been a learning experience, I've learned to love my natural hair. I will never miss the scalp burns from the relaxer.
Hello TB. I completely agree with you, being natural is a journey, it will be 12 years in a few weeks and I am still learning !
honestly that was my reason too. I'd go to school unable to do braids for a while because my scalp was so sore. i cried so much when I used to relax.
Even without relaxers impacting my health, I still choose my natural hair. I think natural hair compliments our facial features the best. And I don’t think our natural hair requires more work compared to flat hair. If you look closely, many women with flat hair have dull hair with split ends galore because they also fell for the idea that their hair doesn’t need a lot of work. Taking care of ones hair properly will always take time, effort, and work.
Hello Shayla, well said.
Shayla I totally agree. You have to put work in everything you do such as a marriage, your job, your daily activities and even working out to look good. Why can't we put the work in our hair? This is where we get LAZY... but we want the easy way out and put a relaxer in when eventually that will break your hair, then the edges start thinning. This doesn't happen with your natural hair. Natural hair is beautiful. There are women with hair down to their butts and it's natural. It just takes time, patience and less manipulation and most of all "the work".
I relaxed my hair and cut it into a short Bob. It’s was beautiful. I just cut it all off bald to get back to my natural. It’s way harder managing a relaxer than my natural hair. ❤
Hey Fuzzy Spirals! I love my natural hair as well. I don’t see myself ever going back !
@@levernejones4944 it certainly not less maintenance. I don’t why people say it is. I lost the ability to get up and go. I have to use rubber bands to braid back if I wan to wear a wig… etc
Exactly relaxers require more work to maintain the quality of the hair
@@fuzzyspirals It was actually more work for me when my hair was natural and I was natural for years. Everyone’s experience is so different based on lifestyle, texture, time, skill, etc.
It was for me too. I hair was very tangled while relaxed.
I’ve been noticing this return to the relaxer as well, and I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the pandemic, and the boredom that ensued as a result of that. It’s easy to experiment working from home and easier to hide a failed hairstyle.
I think there were always going to be some individuals who returned to what is easiest for them or what is more familiar to them. I don’t fault anyone for their decisions either. I just ask they they really think about what issues may arise as a result of relaxing your hair for years or decades. I just cannot imagine the process of getting a relaxer.. no matter how tangled my hair may get..it just doesn’t register for me as an option.
There’s also a class action lawsuit about relaxer chemicals/cancers.. I think it’s odd to gloss over that and continue to get them without much of a thought. You’re now talking about your health. Great video topic!
Hey Curly Chronicles, and as you have elegantly stated these are reasons I will never get a relaxer, as you know it was not my mother who gave me relaxer in the first place.
As I say in all my hair videos , I take no issue with women who relax their hair, I just know for me and my household it is not an option.
The pandemic is a way for excuses, just like the rain would be. No matter what day it is or what season take care of your hair unless you are sick then I can understand!
I also did smaller twists when my hair was shorter and it was still a long time but the detangling was easier. Now the detangling takes forever
Lets hope there isnt another lockdown or shortages because the creamy crack will be hard to get hold of. i was so glad i was natural during the pandemic
I've been natural for 9 years now. I transitioned when I was about 16 years old. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, all I knew that relaxers were destroying my hair. It's been a crazy journey with a lot of ups downs. For many years I was using the wrong products and techniques that were not tailored to my hair which left my hair stagnant for years. Within the last 7 months or so I completely changed my regiment and started listening to my hair needs. I'm seeing a huge difference in how my hair looks and feel and for the first time since I started my journey I'm retaining my length. I never regretted going natural. It's something that is a part of me-- it's my God given hair and I've learned to love it like everything in life.
Hello Ruth. Thank you for sharing your story and I am so happy that you found what works for you. You bring up a very valid point, you had to figure out your hair. You had to figure out techniques that work for you. You had to figure out what products work for your hair. You had to listen to your hair and then readjust. All of this takes time and some people don't want to go through the learning process and that is fine as well.
As I said in the video some women have been relaxed so long or they have been relaxed since they were little , so they would have no idea how to care for their natural hair.
It's okay Ruth. I know at least 50% of women experienced the same thing you have in their relaxer days. I know, I have for sure. If I know what I know now about my hair it would be down my butt as of today. But that's not the case. I am natural, been for 3 years and love, love, love it. I will not get another relaxer ( will not judge the women who do). I am thinking about getting color though. Never relaxers again.
I cut my hair when I was 15 while trying to figure myself out and my ancestry… (teenage fantasy😂) but I do not regret it one bit despite all the criticism.
I’m three years into it and I feel best when my hair is done and ready to go. I mastered the twist outs🙃 thank God.
I think it’s the best thing I have done to find myself and gain confidence as a girl approaching womanhood.
@@octaviawalker823 I would recommend colors without PPD PTD and Resorcinol there are studies linked to cancer with those ingredients just like relaxers More studies are coming out. It’s funny watching people in social media being afraid of silicones sulfates and parabens they are nothing compared to what I just mentioned above. Madison Reed is a good one Alafparf Milano Natural line There are others mainly European brands. Companies are getting on board with upgrading their formulas. Not fast enough though.
@@TracyD2 Thanks for educating people, we more of it.
I’m trying to transition back to my natural texture. Be careful with relaxers ladies😢 the only reason I started getting relaxers again was for easier maintenance, but then I realized, if I cut down my time on social media I will have more time to do my natural hair
I realized that to after deleting my social media. Suddenly I have time for myself, which should never be considered a bad thing ❤❤ the ultimate self care
Went natural about 8yrs ago. There are definitely pros and cons. The main pro for me is that my hair grew out healthier. However, I have to admit that for me the styling options are just too few for my liking (most make me feel and look like an over grown child), the time I have to put into maintaining my hair, and the frizz, omg the FRIZZ, shrinkage, and single strand knots! I texlax now to preserve at least some texture and that’s worked out awesome for me. Hoping everyone finds what works for them and not stress too much about it.
Thank you for doing these videos on natural hair. I think it’s important for young African American girls to see someone loving the hair that naturally grows out of there head. Their are a lot of health concerns related to relaxers. I’m sorry to see people going back to them instead of just being a straight natural.
Hello Leticia !
I agree with you 100%. The health concerns are one of the reasons I will never get a relaxer again.
As you heard me say in the video my mother raised me to live in my natural beauty and to know that I am beautiful, skin complexion and hair. I think when we don’t uplift and encourage our young women we do them a disservice.
Great commentary. In my opinion, a lot of women used their time as a natural to save money. If you weren't good at maintaining or styling your hair relaxed then you would most likely not do well with caring for natural hair. I find it ironic how we are ok with spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars to achieve a European look but refuse to pay a natural hair specialist. If you cannot do your own natural hair then pay a professional. I grew up doing my own hair as a teen so the transition in terms of styling was easy for me. My emotional transition from relaxed to natural impacted me in ways I didn't expect. 1) Family and friends weren't encouraging or supportive. 2) I no longer felt sexy or attractive. 3) I lost a man because I decided to wear my natural. 4) I looked different and had to see my beauty in a different way. 5) The best change was that I started attracting a better quality of men. I'm 12 years natural I am venturing into being a straight natural. I also go to a braider for small box braids with only my natural hair. Natural hair is not for wimps. Perhaps other natural styles like sister locs or larger locs should be considered before returning to chemicals.
Hello PudyNapps. Thank you so much for sharing
1. I have not lost friends since going natural, some didn't even know that I was relaxed lol. Now I did have family members give me the side eye, my father included but he is okay now lol. I think for him he just didn't want me to look crazy .
2. I had my awkward phase as well. I did not big chop, I transitioned overtime and then cut my hair to my shoulders which was the shortest that it had ever been, so for me I still felt beautiful I just had to figure out what to do with it lol
3. The man, his loss, from your avatar you are beautiful
4.yes absolutely , I will say people do say I look different when my hair is straight, I don't think so, I am pretty sure that is because I see myself everyday
5. lol This I can attest to, my hubby is top notch !
Lastly I agree with your first statement , if you didn't really know how to care for your hair when it was relaxed/straight then you will be lost when its natural, that may actually send someone into shock lol.
Thank you so much for watching
@@Darling_Youcancallme I know because I have a husband since that occurred!!!
Being natural is way more expensive. I have never spent 15 and 20 dollars on any products when relaxed.
I always enjoy your videos! I think another reason why some naturals are going back to the relaxer is because they are tired of their hair being unpredictable! I can give a few examples. Twist outs becoming frizz-outs, roller sets on wet hair not working out, or straightening natural hair only to result in fluffy hair 3 hours later. Putting in so much time to style your hair and for it not to work out, can be very discouraging. Unpredictable results are the worst! Your hair is absolutely beautiful!!!
Hey Naptural. Thank you
OMG you have made an excellent point, I didn't even think about that. BOY can I attest to that , lmbo, the hairstyles that have gone wrong.. for me I would just throw it up in bun. But I can understand the frustration especially if your hair hair is unpredictable every you do it, it may leave one as you said discouraged.
Hello. This is exactly how I feel about my natural hair. I love the curls but sometimes it doesn't come out the way it should. Very unpredictable. And quality natural hair products are expensive.
@@bernice4477 hello, sis. You can make use of Black Friday sales to buy products that will work for your hair and weather.
I live in a highly hot and humid weather in an industrial city so, I buy leave-in conditioners and heavy-duty gels so that my hair can last all week.
I have two highly energetic children but I wash and style every 7-8 days (30-45 mins including bathing time) and I use products that work for my weather, density, and hair pattern (styling takes between 1½ hours to 3 hours)
Shampoo
Conditioner
Leave-In
Gel
And that's it (I have mixed textures) (hooded dryer for wash-n-go/ air drying for three strand twists)
When you know these things, you'll never have any problems again.
@@bernice4477 you should check out black girl curls
My mother relaxed my hair regularly when I was a child, so I never saw my natural hair until I was 18. Until then, I didn't even know my hair could coil and curl. I made the decision to do the big chop after a conversation with a family friend who was natural. I was about 16-17 at the time and I always raved about how beautiful I thought her tightly coiled hair was. One day I said to her, "I wish my hair curled or coiled like that." She looked at me confused and exclaimed, "You never saw your natural hair!?" Confused I said, "This is my natural hair, isn't it?" She along with another friend explained to me in detail how to revive my hair. For 3-6 months I stopped using heat, and brushes and started doing my own hair. After I started to see some new growth, I cut my midback hair into the tiniest bob...literally at ear's length, washed it & saw a head full of beautiful curls for the first time EVER. I was in awe. I don't just love my hair, I cherish it. Despite chronic illness and other things that can make hair upkeep challenging, I could never return to a relaxer after I went through so much to get here.
Straight hair is more boring to me too. I find my hair in its natural state is must attractive...The texture, glad God choose to make me black.
My Miracle , I like my curls as well. When I straighten my hair, after about 2 week I am bored.
First and foremost, BW we need to normalize letting other women live. Let them do whatever it is they want to make them happy. OUR BEAUTY is in our differences. We keep trying to uniform and police other BW, what they do, say, wear, and we are meant to be wild and as free as we want. Becoming Natural is a personal journey and how we choose to traverse is it is solely up to us. I'm natural, I'm also extremely tender headed and my hair tangles extremely easily. It was painful and difficult so I am now on a deadlock journey but I also enjoy wearing wigs. So find your own paths. To each his own ladies.
Hello Iamshe. You are absolutely correct, black women don not need to be policed and they can do what they want. This video was simply discussing why some women are getting relaxers.
@@KlassicallyKept Thank you for your perspective on this. Would love to interview you on the podcast.
This is the best response on here
I used to put more work into my hair when it was relaxed. Blow drying, flat ironing and then styling it. It would be more work to go back and I could never. I just love the journey of embracing my natural hair too much. Even after several years, my hair still surprises me sometimes with what it can do. I believe Afro hair is magical.
Let your kinky hair grow, take care of it, stop with the perfect wash and go, 4 hour wash days, etc. grow it and wear it kinky, unapologetically! If you get a relaxer, your hair can still grow and be healthy. But this is more than long healthy hair. Our hair is hated by other races, and even amongst the black community. We have to embrace who we uniquely are. And that’s where I draw the line. My black is beautiful
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
get off that race bs. nobody cares about your hair. it's your narcissicism that keeps you blaming others and playing victim.
My hair just grows faster lightly relaxed. Haven't done it yet, but thinking about it. I feel like black women are the only ones getting flack for our hair. Let us choose what we want to do with our own hair!😊
When you say “lightly relaxed”, what do you mean exactly? Is that a type of relaxer or a method used to relax?
@@carrington2949I purposely under process. However, my hair is 80 percent gray. I have decided to use heat to style my hair,instead.
Sometimes women relax because it works best for them. Just because a women prefer to relax their hair does not mean they hate their natural hair. Natural hair takes discipline and desire to keep your natural hair/healthy, and lets face it a lot of women don't have the time or care for natural hair and THATS OK. We need to just embrace healthy hair. This relaxed vs natural is very weird. I have been natural for over 10 years and I can understand why one would relax their hair. Less work!
Completely agree, the video was just simply a conversation about why women have stated they are going back to relaxers or they will be relaxing for the first time.
I never understood why people want to cut down time when it comes to hair and nothing else. Remember that your hair should be healthy like the rest of your body , like you said, so why do people put in the work to exercise, eat right, cook, brush their teeth apply sunscreen every 2 hours but then get lazy with their hair or want the easy way out?
Thank you for saying that.
So putting harsh chemicals that can permantantley cause damage to your hair and the rest of your body is worth the risk and its not hating your hair? Interesting...
@@lacheinc just mind your business, damn.
Natural hair over relaxed hair any day.
I am just too traumatised to go back to relaxers. I can't even watch videos of people relaxing their hair because it brings back so many horrible memories I experienced as a child. I just can't.
🥰 I went natural before the rise of the online natural hair gurus so I never fell into the rabbit hole of hellish routines, expensive products and ridiculous rules. I learnt to handle my natural hair at my own pace.
I'm 4C, wash my hair 2 or 3 times a week and it only takes me 10 -15 minutes. I can never understand people who wash their hair for more than that. I don't use oils or buy products. Just shampoo and water works for me. My hair is longer than it ever has been and healthier too. Even if I neglect it from time to time, all I need is to get it wet and it bounces back.
I think hair gurus ruined the natural hair experince for many. In a bid to stand out from other hair gurus, they kept upping their antics on what to and not do for natural hair. For someone as lazy as me, I would have given up had hair gurus been the ones to usher me into my natural hair journey. They needlessly over complicated natural hair.
That being said, I will never go back to relaxers. I want to live a healthy life and that means no crazy chemicals on my head. Also, my natural hair is more resilient and easy to take of. Relaxed hair is the complete opposite for me, it's fragile and requires alot of attention as well as products to keep healthy. Its too much work and the rewards outweigh the negatives. In fact, the rewards don't even match the rewards my natural gives me, which is low maintenance, affordability and healthy strands. 💪🏾😊👌🏾
Well said and 💯 true.
How do u wash your hair? Do u do sections?, i have locs (but unfortunately have to comb them out), and it took me around 30 minutes to wash and moisturize my hair 🙌🏾 it made me realize that washing my hair shouldn’t take me more than that, even with my loose natural hair. I would love to know how you go about it (also because you have 4c hair too)!thank youu 😊
Yes absolute truth, I started before the rise of the movement gurus too and I agree 100% with everything you said
I stopped using relaxers over 20 years ago and I will NEVER relax my hair again. My mom started relaxing my hair when I was a child and I continued it into my adult years. I ended up with active uterine fibroids that caused me to bleed so heavily during my periods that I ended up in the hospital anemic to the point that I required 6 units of blood!
Wow that’s crazy! I’m sorry you experienced that. It makes me wonder if that’s how fibroids can get passed on genetically, since those toxic chemicals are so strong, maybe that gets passed on to the baby if a woman has been getting relaxers for a long time.
My mom used to have periods that bad too. I used to have bad periods where I felt like I was dying. I never had a relaxer thankfully because my mom figured out the health risks. I wonder if there’s a correlation between mothers getting relaxers for a certain period of time and painful periods/fibroids being passed onto the daughter.
@@Sahara333 I think there is a connection between getting relaxers and hormonal problems! My sister who got relaxers from her childhood to her adulthood has severe fibroids and she had complications (sadly) when she got pregnant😞.
My aunt who has been on low cut, never grown her hair, shaves it close to head so doesn't use any product has had fibroid the size of a five month fetus. Doesn't always follow.
I went back to relaxers after I had my first child. I LOVED being natural, and now I love being relaxed without having to compromise a whole day each week with my young children to simply shampoo my hair. You can now find me at the park or a museum on weekends rather than with my head in the sink all day 💛
Hello dmpls84 and that is completely fine! Your hair works for you and your lifestyle. It has cross my mind that if I have a girl just how long it will take to do both out hair lol ( I cant even imagine )
I also think mainstream social media (the look of the Influencer girls) and possibly a decline in the attention that they would normally get from black men is also a factor for some of these girls/women...I don't think most would admit to it though.
Hello Sun Goddess. I agree with you! When I’m out or on social media I am seeing an influx of wigs and laid baby hairs lol, which again … fine if that is what you like.
I don’t think a lot of women will admit that. Let’s be honest we get dressed up to feel and look good but we get dressed up for men as well and if the men you want to attract don’t like the “ natural look “ you will not gravitate towards that look.
Agreed. Barely anybody is wearing their natural hair out, everybody rocking a 30 inch buss down part, and most peoples natural hair won’t give them the same sleek look. Of course no one will actually admit that.
Your right people tried to tell me I was lying but when I first went natural it wasn’t the black boys trying to talk to me, it was the Spanish, white or Indias trying to talk to me. My now husband is the ONLY BLACK MAN IN MY LIFE (not even my blood brothers or father) who loved my natural hair back when it was a teeny weenie Afro when we first met 10 years ago. Now that my hair is very long only now are brothers trying to stop me or ask me questions about my hair. And they swear up and down that I “must be mixed with something” honestly it’s sad af
@@Entertain_Mehhh 💞
Good topic for discussion. Studies show relaxers are possibly linked to uterine cancer, so I think a few are, but most are learning to style their natural hair, embracing its beauty, diversity and staying as healthy as possible.
Hello L! I agree. This video was just pointing out some of thee reasons women are getting relaxers.
I'm fairly certain relaxers are the reason why there are so many black women with fibroids.
The number one reason is Black women are WESTERNIZED. The hairstyles that we grew up on, the texture we were taught to love and adore, and the culture we live in promotes Westernized Eurocentric hairstyles. So, the number one reason comes down to Eurocentric cultural beauty practices with some elements of our African origin styles when it comes to hair resulting in discrimination towards our hair, sewing negative views about our hair, wanting to appeal to our men who most of them accept Eurocentric beauty standards, and struggling to understand and properly care for our hair.
My hair went from natural to relaxed to natural and back to relaxed. I probably get a relaxer 2-3 times a year. My problem was my natural hair was too much extra work, too time consuming, styles didn’t last, and because I ride horses regularly and sometimes competitively dealing with the sweat and dirt and helmet (helmets are expensive too) sizing issues on a regular basis was a nightmare. I tried to keep my routine simple. When I went to the salon to get my hair done and the stylist put too much heat on my hair and some of the curls wouldn’t revert, that was the last straw and I went back to relaxing.
And that is okay. Whatever makes your life a little simpler and manageable can make a difference.
I've never had a relaxer but I was a "flat iron natural" for several years. My hair never grew past the apl (arm-pit length) mark.
I think the people who are the most successful on their natural hair journey are those who embrace natural hairstyles like two strand twists, braids, flat twists etc AND their hair texture.
Also, the first 2 years are the hardest, you have to learn the hairstyles that work for your schedule and skill level.
You have to give the Eurocentric idea of straight flowy hair - otherwise, it's frustrating fighting against your natural curls.
Not me
Hello Lady T. I love my natural hair as well !
Me Either!! I LOVE My Natural hair…
@@applepie6559 me as well !
Some Persons went natural hoping to get length. They never really embraced their natural hair. They will relax hair, then when it begin falling/breaking off, will big chop and start over😂😂
I recently went back to relaxers after "embracing" my natural hair for three months (this was the fourth embrace over the years). If there is a 5c hair, I think I have it. Hundreds of dollars spent on products, combs, brushes, electric brushes, Flat irons, time spent trying to style my hair which never lasted more than a day. My natural hair was a constant reminder of why I started relaxing it in the first place. I got to a point where I combed/brushed it back as best I could, then hairpinned (numerous hair pins) it in place, and I hated that look. I now relax it again and I'm not going back to natural.
After 6 years of being natural 4c I relaxed my hair. Now I have microlocs/interlocks for convenience of my lifestyle
Hello Angelica! And that is completely understandable, that hairstyle works for YOU and your lifestyle.
I don’t think I will ever use relaxers or dyes again. If I want a straight look, color, or if I’m feeling lazy I’ll wear a wig. But to permanently sever my curls with a known cancer agent seeping into my scalp. I can’t do it.
Hello Gabi, I completely understand. I don't ever see myself getting a relaxer again
I will never go back to relaxers, my hair has flourished since going natural. I definitely don’t miss those scalp burns 🥵
Revair turned my wash day into wash hours. Love it!
Hey Alison! When I tell you I am SOOOOO excited . I CANNOT wait !
I'm a professional haircare manufacturer. One of the main challenges we have is the Over the Counter relaxers are the most used relaxers. The thing is you should always have it professionally done for the safest and best results. That's not to say there have never been incidents of malpractice in application by professionals. However the vast vast majority perform them correctly. My entire household is natural, so I've not only supported the natural hair movement, I've made products for natural hair for years. No matter what the choice I love healthy hair and not abusing the "Protective Stlye" use.
Thank you for your videos. I have been natural since 2005 and I love my natural hair texture 4b/4c. In the beginning, I also did not know what to do and there were so many influencers showing the products they use that I would try to mirror. Honestly, you have to keep it simple. Give yourself time and you will find what works for you. Does your hair need moisture, yes. Do you need to trim, yes. Find protective styles that work for you. The less your hands are in your hair, the better. I am not going back to relaxers.
I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to cut wash day into wash hour and a half because the wash day had me seriously thinking about relaxing or becoming a heat trained natural.
I have been able to cut mine down as well. I am hoping the revair will cut it down even more !
I used to have scalp problems until I started putting neem oil in my conditioner, most Indian stores sell it and it’s usually cheaper there than online.
Won’t be me!
Lol hello JJamiah. I understand!
When I started Uni this year, most of my room mates had relaxed hair and they would tell mye my natural hair is ugly so I should relax it. I didn't. In the words of Mz Vee, I'm a natural girl. My hair is ugly today because I don't have the money to buy all the products I need to take care of it. Hair care in general is not a thing in my country due to stupid basic to senior high school rules that prohibits growing your hair out long, so many people don't know how to take care of their hair and even when they learn how to, they may not get the money to buy all the necessary products. That's why my relaxed roommates who were trying to pressure me into relaxing my hair also had ugly hair. I'm glad I didn't listen to them and stayed a committed natural. One girl even told me my hair was ugly like her's when she was natural so I should relax it. Unfortunately for her, but fortunately for me, cause it meant I didn't have to listen to her, her relaxed hair was so damaged it had lost it's black colour, was ultra weak, and every time she would take down her braids, she would lament over it breaking so much and go on and on about how much she wanted to cut it all off. She couldn't love her hair no matter what state it was in. Glad I didn't listen to her.
Anyways, there are very real natural girls here on UA-cam like Star puppy who helped me realize that my hair just needs care and love and you bet I'm going to give it more of it when I get the money to buy all the products I need. Until then I'm sticking to the aloe vera that grows in my flower bed, and some available essential oils I got earlier this year.
I love my natural because I finally understand it and know how to care for it. I’m never relaxing again.
Hello Ossie! I am right there with you. I love my natural hair !
I went natural at age 12. Told my mom to leave my hair alone and that I was old enough to care for it myself. I don’t get the hype about straight relaxed hair. I find it boring. Yes my hair is a lot of work. It’s thick,dense and high porosity. (Pray for me 😂)but what would I do if relaxers didn’t exist? I’d learn to work with my hair. I love my hair and will never get a perm. When I tired of it I put some box braids in until I miss it again. Plus relaxed are linked to fibroids
😊My hair stylist 30 years ago helped me grow out the relaxer I used to wear. Now I'm actually thinking of growing out my hair into locks. It is interesting that many are planning in suing companies. Natural hair is is good as you can do it.
Hello Diane. I am so happy that you a hairdresser help with your transition! I love locs !
The suing videos about relaxers are popping up on my feed as well.
How are people suing when there’s warning labels on all the boxes?
Its not only black women suing so that will possibly open the narrative. @Klasically Kept I like this feed is an honest mixture of feelings and I appreciate the facts. I really don't see anyone else complaining about the hair they were given. Or when they warn each other about possible complications, why are they not calling it bullying? It's like East vs West; relaxed being natural? Are we not more diverse? Look at the creativity we create to show self appreciation; to show self love through our hair. Maybe Instead of objecting we can uplift & share a constructive perspective. 💌
Relaxer sales went down 😂😂😂 thats all im gonna say!
7 yrs in and I wish I went natural sooner! I’ve always hated relaxers but it was easy for me. After raising my self esteem. I keep my hair in twist. I do get those comments from people telling me to do my hair even though it’s already done. None the less I’ll be waiting for the “relaxer broke my hair” trend. And yesss to the revair!!!!! ❤️❤️ I love it I got the both the newer version is better. I gave my brothers fiancé my old one as an enhanced gift! You’ll love it! ❤️
Hello Aniexo, I am so glad you were able to gai your self esteem back. Mini twists are my go to hairstyle and Iove them, I just ignore the comments
I keep hearing nothing but good things about the Revair! I gasped when I saw the box dropped off on my door step. lmbo. I CANNOT wait to try it!
@@KlassicallyKept & I can’t wait to watch the video! ❤️
God bless and more power to the people who are comfortable with relaxers in the hair. Personally I will never put another relaxer in my hair. If I want my hair straight for a minute I will do an old fashioned silk press. I know they don't last long but that's okay. I don't mind my hair curling up when it's hot & humid. I like the versatility of being natural. As I've gotten older I'm terrified about the effects that constant chemicals seeping in my head pores will cause. I was previously relaxed for 20 years or more. Never again.
There are no “rules” to natural hair. Problem is people take natural hair guru’s opinions to heart as if they are the president of the natural hair community. If a person goes back to relaxer it is because they don’t want to put in the work. Knowing that perms cause health problems like fibroids, why on earth would we continue to put that mess in out hair. If you want straight hair get a silk press or Dominican blowout. Not something that could permanently damage your hair and overall health.
I can't even talk about my relaxer experience without hyperventilating and crying.....NEVER ÌN MY LIFE WILL I GO BACK! NEVER! 🙏💚
I can only imagine. My relaxer experience was never bad , I just wanted healthier hair.
it disrupted my hormone and when I started having children, some things changed every time.
When I had My first child, I had to start using my glasses again
When I had my first miscarriage, my body system changed completely for almost two years.
When I had my last child, my sense of smell changed completely and now I have a very high sensitivity to a lot of smells and I couldn't sing soprano again.
The bottom line is, my body hates any form of disruption so, I try as much as possible, to use what I know works and what will not aggravate it.
Sorry for my Epistle 🙏🏿
Me neither. I've been natural for 20yrs. I will never go back. My hair started slowing breaking off and falling out after going to a so called highly recommended award winning hairdresser. I cut it all off and never looked back. And now these new studies coming out are linking breast cancer in black women to these chemicals its definitely a no for me.
With all of this literature/research coming out about the correlation between chemical straighteners and cervical cancer… I would make a full stop if I were them.
I wish I heard this message 7 years ago, UA-cam mislead me, I sat and watched countless videos and spent over a grand💰 just buying crap that didn't even work for my hair, I started over and just do me and keep it simple with ole school products which works great for me, ,l learned and I always keep a wig on standby if I don't feel like messing with it,, but I did color and am happy, but no more relaxed hair for me, and no more migraines since I went natural 🤷🤷, image that
Hello PTK4life. Thank you for sharing. I am so glad you found something that you found something that works for you.
It took me a second to find what worked for me as well and I am still learning. As I have said before being natural is a journey and I constantly learning and see new things
I've been natural since 2008. I've had highs and lows in my natural journey. In my lifetime I only had my hair relaxed for about 5 years of my life. Today I am planning on relaxing my hair and cutting it into a cute bob. I'm tired of having damaged hair despite all the things I've done and do to have healthy hair. I deep condition 1-2x a month. I've learned that the LCO method works for me phenomenally. But I've been vegetarian for 4-5 years and its contributed to my hair thinning. I use olaplex to prevent breakage. Natural is just not for everyone. Just like specific diets or styles and trends. Its every individual persons choice.
Maybe some are returning to hair salons. I don't see a trend back to relaxers other than with influencers. You tube channels made loose naturals look so hard, in my opinion. I never liked spending a lot of time on my hair. I wore a loose natural for 6 months and found it exhausting. Then I went to locs. I'm too happy. Yay for me!
lol yes yay for you. Hello Mimi. In my area/city I have noticed while I am out, I am seeing more and more women with wigs and relaxers than I did about a year ago.
I am happy you were able to find a way to maintain the health of your hair and a style that you like. I definitely agree that having loose natural hair can be time consuming, but honestly, I wouldn't have my hair any other way !
Just the thought of putting the creamy crack back into my hair, touching my scalp, and the chemical smell...🤢. Been natural since '03 and nothing about that process aligns with me.
It would be interesting to know the age range of the women who are going back natural? Are they 50+ ?
My experience is that the younger generation have no issues whatsoever with their natural hair, however the 50+ who have the negative experiences of “hard hair” seems to struggle more.
I’m 47 and am surrounded by women professionally, friends and family who are all natural. The 1 woman I know who is still relaxed is 50+ and spends a lot of time talking about wanting to transition to natural but finding it difficult.
I wish all black women peace with their hair ❤.
Acceptance is a huge part I’ve been natural 10 years and I started hating it in year 8 because it was mid back and looked short so I was fighting the shrinkage and broke my hair off. Now I’m back to just doing what I know works twist outs and chill!
Maybe for UA-cam Community but not in real life.
For personal health reasons, I stopped relaxers altogether in 2017 and These are the things I no longer do to my hair;
*THINGS I NO LONGER DO TO MY HAIR*
1. Detangle in the Shower: saves conditioner, shortens my washing and unnecessary shedding.
2. Oil my Scalp: I don't oil or grease my scalp to avoid scalp irritation and suffocation. I only do a hot oil treatment once in a blue moon and I wash it off with a gentle shampoo.
3. Wash for Hours: I have a regimented washing and it takes me just 30-45 mins maximum including bathing.
4. Postpone Wash Day: I don't postpone my washday to avoid scalp inflammation, irritation, and aggravation.
5. Self-Trim/Protein Treatment: I prefer to get a professional trim instead of sabotaging my cuticle and I don't do protein treatment arbitrarily; I only do one when it is very necessary.
6. Deep Condition Every Wash or Overnight: I do one when it's necessary and never overnight because my scalp hates being wet overnight or for a long period.
7. Complicated Hairstyle: my scalp hates being suffocated so, I hold on to a simple routine.
8. DIYs: since I'm not a cosmetic scientist or chemist, I leave it to the pros.
9. Cold Water Rinse: I have never been a believer and I'm never going to believe in it.
10. Buy Unnecessary Hair Products: I don't subscribe to FOMO, fear-mongering, and all sorts. I buy what works for my hair based on its need.
11. Bandwagon: I don't follow bandwagon, influencers, and recruit haters. I listen to my hair and do what works for it not being anybody's minion or nazi follower.
12. Hairstyles: I don't do unrealistic hairstyles that will eventually cause me both pain and money!
There's nothing that will take me back to relaxers; I'll rather cut my hair.
I don't follow hair type and porosity rules as well.
I think the whole presence on social media and the “baddie” goals and “It” girl look have people making the transition to straight hair.
yesss! another hair talk! So happy💖
Good morning! Hope you enjoy !
I definitely agree and I think apart of it is rooted in anti blackness like you said. Even looking at some naturals , they also don’t like or accept their hair but because the relaxer had such a bad effect on their scalp they’ll just always cover their hair with weaves and wigs. Which I don’t have an issue because it’s not my head but The excuse I hear often as well is how time consuming it is and atp I’m calling bs , with wigs does it not take a long time to wash your hair , bellow dry it , braid it down and then successfully glue this wig on ? Plus the maintenance cost if your having some install it because the cost of natural hair is another thing I tend to see alot as if relaxers, wigs and weaves don’t cost just as much if not more. I have also been told that with trying to achieve certain styles it takes long and then the style either doesn’t last long or doesn’t come out like how a person wanted which I can sympathize with your hair drying out quicker then one would like and having to complete the long process again. I do think when styles don’t come out as desired it just depends again on whether people are accepting what there hair can do or taking time to fix the technique. I know you were mainly speaking about relaxers but I just wanted to add this in
I agree with you so much. This is how I was feeling about my natural hair journey but what I recognized is that when my hair was relaxed after a couple of weeks my hair had new growth and it started looking tough around the edges and that’s when the over processing started with my hair and it started breaking off and I had bald spots coming because I wearing wearing half wigs ( the bald spots were where the combs were placed in my hair). My hair was a hot mess, and I decided to get the big chop . Now, after listening to so many people on their wash and go and all of the products, I just stopped….and began to think, I just simply wash, deep conditioning and the little things and move on. At times, I am frustrated with my hair because of what society thinks of natural hair and I get those looks that make me feel like an out cast, but then I think about how it was when I had my relaxer and the thought goes away about getting a relaxer.
My hair is locd and wanted to loc it since I was 10. It is the most natural way to wear my hair and I love it. To each their own as long as the switch back isn’t because someone or the media has made me feel unattractive.
I get sooooooooo many compliments from black men on my natural hair, and they be staring, no lie in Jesus name, this one white woman walked up to me, she said I love your hair, I said is that the hair God blessed you with, she laughed and said yes, I said, I love your’s to, God makes no mistakes, none, 0 zero.
I LOVE MY RELAXED HAIR
And that's completely fine !
I did not know what to do with my natural hair. My hair felt like a barrel of hay. I stopped doing the overnight stretch without heat. Now I stretch my hair with low heat after each wash and my hair has grown so much. I wear it blown out in a bun, chignon, flexi rod sets on blown out hair, and a curling wand or bubble wand. I love my natural hair, and I style it blown out. I use a flat iron only when I need a trim.
Hello April. I am so happy that you found a regimen that works for you. I have recently tried some new products and will be implementing them into my hair care. Being natural is a journey and I am always so excited when I find a n ew product that works for me
Welp....they claim that relaxers has been causing problems. It seems many prefer the problems than learning how to deal with their natural coils.
I do not like my scalp burning for No One so I definitely will not be going back to relax🤣😆🤣
I’ve been natural for about 8 years now. I’m type 4 with thick hair. I’ve tried being a wash n go natural, a pixie cut natural, braids, a wigged natural, & a silk press natural. I enjoyed all of it, & I’m ready to go back permanently straight. As soon as I get a steady income, I’m going to try the Japanese relaxer!
Sorry for the long comment in advance. I haven't watched your natural hair story, but I also never did the big chop. I accidentally went natural. I started getting weaves about 9 years ago, and had weaves basically full time until the big c hit in 2020. I started relaxed and my stylist actually said we didn't need to relax my whole head because it was just going to be braided under the sew in, so I stopped relaxing that and just relaxed the leave out. Eventually we stopped relaxing that, too. I don't remember it being a conscious choice, just one less step. I never once said to myself, "Self, I am deciding to go natural." In fact, I always assumed if I stopped getting weaves I would just relax my hair again. Cut to summer, may/June 2020 and I desperately needed a takedown/redo of my extensions but the salon wasn't open, so I cut out my own weave (not a smooth process for me) but voila, I've been natural ever since (and I guess before that under the weave) and when I did go back to the salon, surprise! I had mid back hair (we did always trim/cut between extensions). I must have had a good stylist because I never suffered from traction alopecia, had all my edges (we would leave my edges out) and never had any issues with the near decade of weaves, except cost! I've managed to grow my hair a bit longer still, but am not afraid to cut it when I visit the salon about 4 times a year (I always take at least an inch off, sometimes more). But early on I turned to UA-cam to help me manage and learn about my 4C hair and it was a mess. I bought ALL the products, wash n go's are still horrible for me and I tried one again last month and it's a big nope, I was frustrated I couldn't get very good definition, etc. I was completely overwhelmed and it's honestly a miracle I didn't go relaxed in late 2020 or early 2021, because I thought about it. I don't blame these women, who are now back at work and running even more ragged than they might have been before the pandemic hit. My job is much more stressful and intense now that it was before C because we are still adjusting and catching up on what we missed, plus all the normal stuff that doesn't stop coming.
I eventually became a lazy natural. My wash days are a few hours, and I'll French braid my hair (either one singular or two braids) and either rock the braid, wear ponytail extensions, or wigs. Worked awesome when work was zoom only and I wasn't going anywhere. No reason to manipulate my hair at all. Left it braided for weeks, oiled it, used leave in conditions, but didn't manipulate it much at all! I basically still work the same way. My hair is mostly in protective styles, I have no problem rocking a french braid for weeks and throwing a wig over it if I feel like it during the week (headband wigs, Never bothered to learn about lace wigs and mouse and sprays. That just sounds like edge damage to me) or wrapping the tail of the braid in a bun and adding a drawstring ponytail. I do straighten my hair probably 4 times a year, and that works for me, too! When that starts to get a little limp and oily, I have found a braid out extends that stretch by adding volume and "curls" that don't look weighed down the same way a straight style does with extra product. Now that I have found a routine that works I can't see myself going back to relaxing, but only because I have started to try and avoid chemicals for various personal reasons. I have considered getting another sew in, and probably will next year. To me that is my "going back to easy/don't want to deal with the work" solution. I only have to deal with a little leave out, I still wash my hair and I can get up and go, but don't have to commit quite as much time, even as a lazy natural that doesn't commit all that much time to begin with.
Hello Danielle , don't apologize for the long comment, we keep it respectful here and we listen to everyone.
I love that you broke down your story and why you choose to care for your hair how you do. Being natural means different things to different people, just because you wear wigs doesn't mean you are natural or a sell out. As I stated in the video and all the time being natural can be time consuming, my wash days are wash days, installing my mini twists is a mini twist day.
Now your hairstylist...I have my own opinions on them, lol ( story for another time. ) Your stylist was sent to you from hair heaven and I am so glad you had a smooth transition and that your hairstylist took the best care of your hair.
I think for a lot of women if they could find solid products and a solid routine they would stay natural or think about going natural. I think for a lot of women uncertainty plays a major role in hair making decisions. I get it: a girlfriend calls you at 8am to go to brunch at 11 you have to get dressed and figure out what to do with your hair. You have a formal event to go to, what do you do with your hair?
To this DAY wash and goes and I are NOT friends lol I have tried it all.
Thank you so much for sharing your story
🗣️ yesss the weather !!! I always say this my texture literally changed when i moved to Atlanta and I’m a Cali girl when i moved back to Cali it change again. Environment matters!!!
Wash n go and i aren’t friends either I’ve tried all attempts and it a no for me
Relaxers cause fibroids and cancers. If you want to permanently straighten your hair do Japanese hair bonding it’s better than relaxers. However for me I love my natural hair and not going back. When I want a straight look I either get a silk press or wear wigs💗
If I want it straight, my hair can do that, if I want curls, it can do that too. If I want twists or braids I can achieve the same look that others covet with no weave. This is a fallacy. While some women are going relaxed, there are those of us who wear our hair in its natural state because anything else is cruelty towards it. Being 4c with a perm was the worst idea my caregivers as a child ever did to me. When it grew out, there was NO blend.
The hot presses were just as if not more manageable.
Perms are a false sense of easy.
I spent so much time and money getting my hair done only for it to last a day.
Hello Monique , I love the fact that natural hair is so versatile as well.
Like you I got a relaxer when I young and it wasn't even my mother, a family member waited until she went out of town to take me to get one.
I know for me I will never get a relaxer again, my hair is thriving and so much healthier.
For dry scalp or any scalp problem use clove water spray, literally heals all scalp problem. Congratulation on your rev air it a game changer and hair saver!
Hello Tofe! Thank you for that, I will try that as well. Now when you said Clove water lol , buy it , or can I make this at home soaking cloves?
@@KlassicallyKept you can make it at home by soaking cloves in distilled water, very simple, the drain and put in a spray bottle
@@KlassicallyKept most especially, check in with your doctor if it's not internally related because if it is, topical treatments won't work.
I'm never gonna perm again, my locs rock 🎸
Hello Dat1Gurl! I know they do !
I ordered the RevAir dryer. I went natural during the pandemic. I am tempted to relax, but I believe the RevAir is the answer.
I get bored with straight hair fast!! I love my mini twists for the same reasons as you ❤❤😊 I think some people went natural because it was a trend and not for health reasons. When you know the health repercussions of not being natural, you will work with what you have. I also think that the exploitation that Corporations exercised, of the self hate that a lot of black women have is a factor. Black people are the biggest consumers in US yet they own the least of everything. We ( black people) don't realize that we set the trends and we have the ability to speed up and slow down the markets with our purchasing power.
To each his own I would say / I STOPPED RELAXING my hair 6 years ago I just got tired of the smell of the relaxer, the smell of the neutralizer ...how many times I had to wash my hair to get the chemicals out of my hair. When I did it myself it came out really nice! I really stopped doing it because I started getting nervous about my health worrying that the relaxer was seeping into my scalp...Going to the salon having them mess my hair up there, spending so much money.... Them charging separate price for this, separate price for that 🤔.
Soooooo if I decide to have my hair straight I will just get a blowout which I really need soon! soon! soon! lol! YEP... I do need a trim for real ,for real!!!! Haven't had Heat on my hair 6 years. I know it's time WAY OVER TIME ... 😂 and it's probably damaged. When I did the big chop with my husband's help 😂😂😂😂😂 l Barely had a teeny weeny ponytail!!!! 😂 Not even that the scrunchie couldn't even catch all of the little bit of hair 😂. My aim was for healthy hair and scalp 😁 I ATTEMPTED TRIMMING LOL! Now I am at waist length... I want to leave my hair out... Just to at least go a little past my shoulders. I Like my wavy natural Look... Any ideas I do welcome!! 😁
OMG, BTW the shrinkage is real lol!! Just got to find the right products. I thank goodness I did not become a product junkie 😂 protective styles NO ain't got no time for that lol! I'm 72 years old December 29th... Tired of wearing a scarf, or a cap and a doggone bun and sometimes banded ponytail! 🆘!!!! (Okay EVERYBODY I WISH YOU ALL a GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON to THOSE you LOVE and CARE for... PEACE, LOVE and BLESSINGS!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR AS WELL!!!!) 💕
Whether being relaxed or natural. Or bald. As long u wear your 👑 healthy. Wear it well. Confidence is 🗝️. 💐💄👠
Here are my thoughts, I had decent relaxed hair from when I was too young to remember until I was 16 and decided to stop, the main reason I stopped is because I was always so impressed by natural hair and wanted an afro - I also felt that black women need to show the world and ourselves that our hair can be acceptable. So I transitioned for 8 months then big chopped. I've been natural 6 years now and only this year is my hair starting to flourish because I now know my hair more than ever. A lot of people went natural because that was the trend at the time and I think those people will go back now that it's no longer a trend, those I know who went back don't have better relaxed hair after relaxer their hair starts to decline the only girls I know with good relaxed hair are the ones who had it from the beginning. What helped my journey is that when I started I bumped into a lot of channels that were calling out the 3C supremacy and urging black women to love their hair and treat it the way it needs to, one of the channels I used to watch also urged black women (I'm African) to realize that in order to level up in the dating market they need to stay slim and embrace their natural hair because wearing a hair texture everyone knows is not ours gives other women a one up on us. A lot has influenced my natural hair, I potentially have a uterine disorder and the knowledge that relaxers caused or exasperated them keeps me far from even thinking of relaxer. It's also not practical to me, once you relax you need to stay with it until you big chop again, how can I do that for decades till I die? If I get tired of my natural hair I'd get sister locks.
I’m African as well 🥰🥰. And i think natural hair attracts a certain type of man. My ex (who was African but i think had self hate issues) wanted more weaves and makeup. My husband (African as well) dont even want to hear mr say the words “relaxers” lol he loves my natural hair and thinks black women are the best. The one time i said i wish i had a white girls hair from the show we were watching cus it will be easier to do he basically said my hair is African and beautiful and suits face so to be proud of it. I just wish more women back home can stop with the relaxers and other womens hair be it Indian or Brazilian
Sorry I'm late but I had to say something and here it is: Been natural for a lot of years and experienced situations where I felt I had just a certain plateau of growth. I've had my days of frustration: you know rushing, tearing at it, crying etc. but I've learned from the videos how to cull from them what I needed for incorporating for my own process. However, I will say that the most important thing as a natural for me is: I like my hair and like a plant, it knows it. Thank you for your thoughts.
I never want to go back to the routine of relaxer touch ups and feeling like I’m at the mercy of the salon
Your hair is fire 🔥! I love your stretched style.
Thank you
I used to say I’d always get a relaxer. But after having a relaxer take my hair out twice (literally falling out and going bald) I decided natural was for me. I get blowouts sometimes and straighten when I want. I’m not strict about products and procedures like I was when I first went natural many years ago. I wasted a lot of time and money 😂 Cheap products and Blue Magic work great and my routine is easy and works. Natural and relaxed hair is work and can be costly depending on products and salon visits. So we should pick what best suits us. If I hadn’t had issues with relaxers I’d probably have one today. However I have learned to love my natural texture and I like the options for styling. I’m not a wig or weave wearer so I have to make my actual hair work for me and I do. Just as all women should and if relaxed or straightened by any method is preferred then so it. Preference is just that & we are free to choose. I prefer coloring my hair instead of showing gray hair. Doesn’t mean I hate it, I just prefer to color it. All this hair talk has me thinking about making an appointment for a blowout 😂
Lol my blowout is set for next week !
I switched back to natural hair in 09 and never looked back! At the same time I feel like I still am "natural" because I was not relaxed for a long period of time and I was doing it because other people were doing it. That being said, I like my natural hair and what it comes with! I learned so much throughout the years and I could never go back to relaxed hair. And even though I have hair down my back, my wash day is never more than an hour.
That's great! How? with long hair that it only takes you an hour? Is it the routine? Do you detangle?
@@zhaystyle I detangle the night before very thoroughly and keep my hair in sections. I proceed to wash (I open my twists after the shampoo and twist them back up) and deep condition. I rinse thoroughly while in twist. It usually takes 45-50 min
@@helenlucka Oh my gosh! I’m going to try this! Maybe I’ll get my weekends back, lol 😂 Thank you! 💕
@@zhaystyle please do let me know how it works out for you!
@@helenlucka Yes! Definitely:)
I relaxed my hair last month after being natural for about 9 yrs (but most of my life). It went from a twa to a pixie; it was cute but once the new growth started showing I remembered why I was annoyed by relaxers 😭 When my natural hair was longer, it was pretty easy for me. Wash was about 1 hr including showering, then twists that I'd wear until the next wash week. I didn't care for twist outs etc, but I understand those that wanted constant versatility. Now I shave my head not because I don't like my natural hair, but because I've always wanted to and I think it fits me better than longer hair. Black women can do whatever the hell they want with their hair at the end of the day. Not my hair or money, so I'm minding mine 💁🏾♀️
Hello Chocolate Cosmos, I am happy that you found what works for you. You are absolutely correct , Black women can do whatever they want with their hair, this video was just simply discussing reasons why some women are getting relaxers.
I guess everyone's experience is different but maintaining my relaxed hair was costly especially because of my hair texture. I would spend hours at the hairdresser. I can decide if I want to do a quick wash with my natural hair or deep treatment and occasionally visit the professional. When I tried that with relaxed hair, I would damage it. Not to mention more and more info coming out about the increased health risks when using a lot of these products. I hope black hair content creators don't stop because that's how I am learning to take care of my natural hair at home.
My Mom hair changed after breast cancer too, very accurate. Glad your Mom is a survivor as well 💗❤️
thank you
Black women are not going back to relaxers, natural hair is not done. *Some* black women have decided that relaxed hair works best for them. There's gonna be a natural divide between women who want their hair relaxed and women who want their hair natural. There's nothing wrong with that, you wear your hair in which ever way works best for you.
But that's all that's happening, a lot of women went natural and some decided it doesn't work for them. There are still a lot of black women who could never go back to relaxed hair. How could you even claim that our natural hair texture is "done" like it's just some sort of trend and not the hair that grows from our head.
I’m considering going back to relaxers after 16yrs natural. I’m just over it. I’ve never followed the “rules” but my active lifestyle and mental health make natural hair a chore.
I think after going natural and someone's hair grows out, they want to rock the true length by relaxing. I think that our natural hair is the most versatile, especially 4C hair. I do get that the process is time-consuming when it's natural especially when it's long and thick like yours. However, naturals should also remember that fibroids have been linked to relaxers in black women.
Hey Jennifer.
I can understand that, I know people will call me crazy but after washing my hair and drying it in my jumbo twists I feel bald ( referring to your length comment ). I cannot understand after all hat hard work some people want their length to show.
Health is always a top priority, for the body and for your scalp. With that said health is one of the reasons I will never get a relaxer again.
It's not relaxers causing it at all. Ba (shots)by!
@@sodvine3486 Hi what is it thats causing it?
@@tmarie5504 ba (shots)by. 4 girls in the family. All three of us who mama allowed to get it all have the same diseases including fib (roids) and the last sis who turned 37 yesterday, my mama didn't give her any and she has none of what we have. She has never been to a doctor.
I had fibroids and endometriosis. I've been natural 9 years in November. I wish I had never put the chemicals in my hair. If someone wants to use permanent relaxers, I just want them to enjoy their journey.
I never kept hair with relaxers, even with kids' relaxers. I have a lot of hair with natural. I'm staying natural, wearing my wigs to give my hair a break, but keeping my natural hair. I got hair for the first time in my life, and I'm keeping it.
There's a lot of new information on the right way to care for relaxed hair.
As far as coating the previously relaxed hair and basing the entire scalp and prepping hair the week before getting a relaxer!
Let me add to the convo, sis. I have the often coveted type 3 hair. l tried a keratin treatment to relax my curls once. Long story short l learned l wasn’t supposed to shampoo my hair directly after the treatment 😂😂😂 l returned back to my curls. I now have a young adult daughter who’s comfortable in braids because l kept my hair natural and l’ve always kept hers as well. My husband and l gave her lots of loving assurances when she wore braided styles growing up. I took loads of pictures of her in various braided hairstyles. My go-to styles are twists or a bun. No matter our hair type, if we show our daughters our self love, they will also love themselves ❤❤❤. I don’t know if this counts but my daughter and l are lightskin with different hair textures. I always made sure she loved her hair texture. She still wears braids and to her white collar job and is doing well. I wanted to add this because as women of color it’s important we ALL support and love each other and our great diversity.
Hello Mary. I love your comment and they way you raised your daughter, if I am ever blessed with one, I will do the same. My mother raised me to love both my complexion and my hair. It is important for young women of color know that they are beautiful with their natural hair and that they don't need to alter it to fit in. I also love how your husband was apart of this as well.
The coveted hair texture is another issue for another time lol.
I can’t get with the relaxer again. If I want straight hair I’ll just be a straight hair natural. I’ve been natural for many many years now and I’ve never straighten because I don’t really miss the look of my hair being straight but sometimes the ease of it being straight and that’s not enough to make me relax or straighten my hair.
New to your channel and love this video. I finally accepted my curly hair in my 50s! About time! I love it, no more bleach and straightening. You are gorgeous and I wish you all the very best, Merry Christmas 🎄 🙏🏼⭐🌹💐
Hello AC Haley , I am so glad that you have accepted your curls ! I know they are beautiful !
I have been natural for 5 years now and I would not go back to relaxers for nothing. Yes, it was frustrating with all the information from different influencers & products at first and just the growing process from a big chop is probably what most people don't have patients for because with the naked eye it doesn't look like your hair is growing because of the shrinkage, when in fact is has probably grown way more then what you have thought. The eye will fool you big time and it may seen like you are doing all of the steps for naught. I learned patients is the key and I have come to realize I just need the basic steps: good cleansing products, good deep conditioning products, and good hydration/moisturizing products with a slight routine with that. I have come to realize everyone's hair is different. Some need to shampoo weekly. Some do it every 2 weeks. Some do it once a month. It depends on your lifestyle and what you want to accomplish. I have also learned that I do not have to do things like deep condition or a special hair mask for an hour, 3 hours, or over night. I just use a heating cap, hair steamer, or sit under the dryer with a conditioning cap on and sit for around 20 or 30 min. I have also learned not to be in my head everyday to do twist. I have learned that with my hair if I want a twist out or a braid out I treat it like I am doing a roller set by using a good mousse and either sitting under the dryer or let it air dry and really only have to pick the new growth out or just leave the twist or braids in and don't have to do anything but take care of my scalp until wash day. Too take care of my scalp I just use Sulfur 8 anti dandruff spray w/wild grow oil and in between day's I will add my water w/aloe, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, & caster oil along with my Sulfur 8 spray. Then I will seal it in with my hair wild grow oil. This helps so much especially with eczema. That Sulfur 8 is amazing. I am learning about other things that I can make in junction with my conditioners, & sprays too boost some nutritional properties. I just decided that I need to do what works for my scalp health and hair retention and not take forever to do it because back in the day when we were children and had long healthy hair our mom's did not do all the things we are doing which is funny to me. Relaxed hair need work too. I don't care what anyone say's. I couldn't just get up and go with my relaxer. You gotta get that wrap right or your hair looked crazy. Your hair would go limp in humidity. You don't want to go swimming with relaxed hair. I swim all the time with natural hair because all I have to do is clarify, use moisturizing shampoo, condition it, put in my moisturizer or mousse. Seal those ends and slap two french braids in or or ponytail it and I'm good to go. Also, I still say if you put anything on your scalp that burns. It is not good for you.
Great. Right at the time when news about relaxers links to cancer are coming out.
Great discussion!
The health risks of a relaxer are so bad and pretty scary. I understand why some of us get them, but I’m glad my mom never made me get one.
It makes me wonder if that’s how fibroids can get passed on genetically, since those toxic chemicals are so strong, maybe that gets passed on to the baby if a woman has been getting relaxers for a long time.
My mom used to have periods so bad that she would go to the hospital from losing so much blood. She also used to get relaxers a lot for a long time. I used to have bad periods where I felt like I was dying. I never had a relaxer thankfully because my mom figured out the health risks. I wonder if there’s a correlation between mothers getting relaxers for a certain period of time and painful periods/fibroids being passed onto the daughter. I don’t know if any women in my immediate family who didn’t get a relaxer.
Just relaxed my hair...I love it ❤️